LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood say the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government and coalition partner are on the same page and certain reservations will soon be removed.

Buzdar and Shafqat are part of the three-member committee, freshly constituted by Prime Minister Imran Khan to address the issues raised by coalition partner PML-Q’s leadership. The PML-Q had objected to formation of the new panel.

Mr Shafqat told media persons here on Saturday that the PTI and PML-Q had jointly formed the government and there was no concept of “give and take” in joining hands. He acknowledged that certain issues continue surfacing in the coalition governments, which can be addressed through mutual consultation.

Mr Buzdar in a statement said the PTI government was having cordial relations with its partner PML-Q and continue taking it along.

“We are standing with each other in the journey of serving the people of Punjab,” he said.

The chief minister said those hatching conspiracies would eventually get nothing. He said the opposition should realise that the government would complete its tenure. He said those dreaming of in-house change or mid-term election, had failed and continued failing in future as well. “Politically, the opposition has been knocked out,” he asserted. “The PTI government’s 17-month performance is far better than the last five years,” he claimed.

FAKHAR IMAM: Chairman Kashmir Committee Syed Fakhar Imam on Saturday called on Usman Buzdar at chief minister’s office on Saturday. They strongly condemned the savagery of Indian army in Occupied Kashmir and thanked the people for observing Kashmir Solidarity Day on Feb 5 in a comprehensive manner across the country.

The chief minister said the Indian atrocities could not suppress the passion of freedom from the hearts of brave Kashmiris. He said it was a matter of great regret that Indian army had locked down occupied Kashmir for the last 188 days, while international community was playing as a silent spectator.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2020