LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf central Punjab president Ejaz Chaudhry says Chief Minister Usman Buzdar is the best choice from the available stuff considering coalition government in Punjab.

“Still, search for better is always there,” he added.

Speaking to media persons at a get-together here on Friday, Mr Chaudhry said he had recently held two meetings with the chief minister and spoke about one major agenda that the party workers needed to be empowered.

Responding to a question about MNAs, MPAs and party workers’ complaints about non-cooperation by the bureaucracy, Mr Chaudhry said the PTI government would not allow bureaucracy’s political disconnect as such a situation would create hurdles in the running of the government.

“The PTI is building pressure on the bureaucracy to end disconnect, keep their doors open to listen to the masses’ grievances and ensure resolution.”

Answering a question about the PTI government’s failure in dispensing justice to the victims in even high-profile cases, the PTI central Punjab president acknowledged that the prevailing justice system could not punish the haves.

“We thought that the accountability institutions and courts would be asked to dispense justice in letter and spirit but it has yet not happened as per party chairman and Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision,” he said.With regard to the extension being granted to the chief of army staff and PTI’s stance in the past, Mr Chaudhry said the party thought that it could implement its vision but failed and now was compelled to discuss other options to allow collective wisdom to prevail. Stating that this is PTI’s first experience in the government, Mr Chaudhry commented, “The parties who have stakes in the system, must observe cautiousness while making tall claims.”

Responding to the masses’ wailing over increase in petroleum and power prices, Mr Chaudhry said the country was bankrupted by the previous PML-N government and this government could return $10 billion in its first year and would continue returning as much loan for the next two years. He said the PML-N government had got loans on the highest mark-ups and mortgaged country’s assets.

Saying there was no tax culture in the country, he said the only option left with the government was to increase fuel and power prices to generate revenue.

“The FBR is not ready to empower itself to meet the modern-day challenges of tax collection,” he added.

Mr Chaudhry said the party was being organised at a grassroots level and a party office-bearers’ convention would be organised in March and resolve to contest the upcoming local government elections. He said a political party serves as a bridge between the government and the masses.

Mr Chaudhry also explained government’s various programmes for the welfare of the masses and those living below the poverty line.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2020