From Abid Usman
LAHORE: The disgruntled faction of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – Tareen group – announced on Thursday that it would boycott the party’s parliamentary meeting in Punjab which would be held later today in Lahore.
Earlier, the meeting would be chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The premier would reach the provincial capital today on a one-day visit.
On March 8, the estranged Tareen group said that it would support the government in the no-trust motion on the condition of removing Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar from his post.
It had further announced that it would boycott any parliamentary meeting of the party till CM Buzdar remains in office.
During today’s visit, PM Imran is also expected to meet Buzdar, who the Tareen group said was ‘not acceptable to them as the chief minister’.
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar along with senior party ministers of Punjab would also call on the prime minister. The premier is also scheduled to meet members of the Parliament from all divisions of the province and minority members as well.
Earlier, Punjab MPA Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial told the media that all members of the group had given full authority to Tareen to make any decision on their behalf.
“I want to highlight here that all members of the group are united on the strategy to move forward [to vote against the no-trust motion] if the government accepts the minus Buzdar formula,” Langrial added.
“All like-minded members of the group are willing to accept the decision made by Tareen.”
He indicated that they were in contact with different political parties as the group had a majority after two big political parties in the House. “We are updating Tareen about the current political developments in the country and will accept whatever decision is made by our leader.”
