It’s time to walk the talk, PML-Q tells PTI
PML-Q rejects new govt committee, says more talks will be held after implementation of demands
Statesman Report
LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) on Sunday refused to hold further talks with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Inaf (PTI), saying the PTI-led government must initiate implementation on matters negotiated between the two parties.
The statement was made a day after the PTI government formed a new three-member committee to win over the crucial ally in Punjab.
“We will not talk to the new forum comprising Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Governor Chaudhry Sarwar and Federal Minister Shafqat Mahmood,” PML-Q leader Chaudhry Moonis Elahi said on Saturday.
“First the promises and commitments made by the earlier committee consisting of senior PTI leader Jehangir Tareen and Defence Minister Pervez Khattak will have to be fulfilled. Only then, the PML-Q will talk to the new body,” he had announced.
The statement issued after an emergency meeting of the PML-Q attended by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Pervaiz Elahi, Moonis Elahi and other party leaders, echoed the sentiments of Moonis Elahi.
The Chaudhry brothers said that talks with the government would only be held after previously negotiated matters become a reality.
Speaking about the newly-formed committee, the PML-Q leaders said that making unilateral changes “creates distrust and urged the federal government to refrain from creating such a pattern”. They once again made their reservations about certain elements who were trying to sabotage the alliance with PML-Q public.
“Some ministers are trying to create misunderstandings between them and Prime Minister Imran Khan,” they said, adding that they were willing to go to all lengths to save the alliance. Shujaat Hussain had warned the PM on Saturday that he faced threats from his own people rather than the allies.
Quipping in, Elahi said that national interests and the rights of nationals hold importance higher than ministries and added that the PML-Q was standing on its principles by prioritising national interests.