From Abid Usman
LAHORE: Cracks have started to appear within the group of estranged Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen after as many as five members of Punjab Assembly (MPAs) met Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.
According to sources privy to the matter, the meetings between Usman Buzdar and MPAs from Tareen group occurred two days back in Lahore.
“Those who made contact included Taimoor Lali, Bilal Asghar, Iftikhar Gondal, Faisal Hayat, and Aslam Bharwana,” they said.
The sources said that the MPAs approached the provincial government after they failed to get assurances of a PML-N ticket. One member of the Tareen group shared that the meeting with Hamza Shehbaz was a failure as he did not offer PML-N ticket during the meeting.
They further said that more members of the group could meet the chief minister Punjab in the next two days.
Estranged Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen could return in a week after doctor’s advice, a key member of his group Awn Chaudhry said after a telephonic contact with him earlier in the day.
Awn Chaudhry made contact with Tareen, who is currently staying in London for medical treatment, and briefed him over contacts being made with the government emissaries.
He also apprised Tareen over contacts being made by Pervez Khattak and said that the latter has asked the Tareen group to put decisions on hold.
“There have been indications of change in Punjab after meeting with Khattak,” he said and further shared that other key personalities have also met the members of the group.
Jahangir Tareen directed Awn Chaudhry to ensure that the group remains intact and make any decision after consultation.
Meanwhile, Members of the dissident Jahangir Tareen group in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have decided to boycott today’s meeting of the Punjab cabinet.
Chief Minister Usman Buzdar will presided over a meeting of the provincial cabinet today.
Sources said that provincial ministers Nauman Langrial and Ajmal Cheema will not attend the meeting. The Tareen group has been demanding the removal of Usman Buzdar.
They said key Punjab ministers have been tasked to convince the enraged cabinet members into attending the meeting.
Earlier, it was reported that efforts are being made by the government to soothe the Jahangir Tareen group and recently, Punjab minister Murad Raas contacted members of the group.
Sources said an initial meeting lasted for two hours and was attended by more than six members of the group. Murad Raas offered the Jahangir Tareen to hold table talks for clearing misunderstandings.
Punjab Minister Noman Langarial reportedly said that he always took a positive attitude towards the party leadership, to which Murad Raas said that we can sit down and talk on all issues.
