PM holds one-on-one meetings with the trio

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday held meetings with Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Governor Chaudhry Sarwar and Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi to settle the leaked video controversy in which Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) MNA Tariq Cheema could be heard complaining to Jehangir Tareen against the provincial governor.

The video, which surfaced last week, showed a meeting among Tareen, Punjab Minister for Mines and Minerals Hafiz Ammar Yasir, and PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Federal Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema. In the video, Cheema can be heard speaking to Tareen and saying, “Sir, control Sarwar! He will not let your chief minister continue.”

“The prime minister held one-on-one meetings with the trio and asked them to resolve the issue without bringing them to the media as the sole priority of both the coalition partners is to serve the country which could not be possible unless there is unity,” the sources quoted the Prime Minister as telling the trio.

They said that PML-Q leader Elahi assured the prime minister that his party stands by the government but there are some elements within the PTI which do not want the provincial government to deliver by creating such rifts within the rank of the allies.

A senior PTI leader who wished not to be named told Business Recorder that the prime minister clearly told the chief minister and the governor to avoid controversies and focus on delivery as this is the only way forward to strengthen the party in Punjab – the bastion of Sharifs.

“Both the parties have assured the Imran that things will be alright,” he added.