MULTAN: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi is of the opinion that former premier Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif have different personalities and have their own points of view.

Talking to the media here on Friday, Qureshi said both brothers had differing opinions on the decisions of the judiciary.

“Two thoughts are prevailing in PML-N and it is yet to be decided that whose thinking will prevail. Either the party will accept the point of view of Nawaz Sharif or Shahbaz,” he said, adding that he believed Shahbaz will become the permanent president of PML-N.

He further said the PTI condemned the politics of horse-trading, adding that his party was in a position to win a Senate seat from Punjab while the election should be held in a transparent way. The PML-N had opposed the suggestion of a direct election for the Upper House.

Qureshi defended his fellow party member, saying Aleem Khan had categorically announced that he would appear in court. He said the country was on the edge of an economical crisis and his party condemned the increase in petroleum prices. “International organisations are saying that the economic affairs of Pakistan are not bright,” he said.

The former foreign minister said placing of Pakistan on the ‘grey list’ by Financial Action Task Force will poorly impact the country’s economy. Sugarcane growers were not getting the price of crop fixed by the government and his party stood with the growers in their protest against it.

He said he would contest election from NA-150 regardless of who stood against him. PTI Chairman Imran Khan had initiated a membership campaign and will visit Karachi on March 4.

“Arrangements regarding the visit of Imran Khan to Multan on March 15 are under way and a welcome plan is being devised,” he added.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2018