LAHORE: Rebel PML-N MPA Chaudhry Ashraf Ali Ansari and his elder brother Chaudhry Younas Ansari called on Chief Minister Usman Buzdar at his office on Saturday and condemned the “treacherous narrative of the opposition”.

The PML-N has already expelled Ashraf Ansari and four other MPAs, who were frequently meeting the chief minister at his office in violation of party discipline.

Ansari had planned a parallel rally in Gujranwala to counter the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) first power show in the city last month. The Ansari brothers expressed complete confidence in the chief minister’s leadership.

CM Buzdar said the respect for Pakistan’s institutions was a must for all. “We stand with our national institutions and will remain standing besides them,” he stressed.

The CM regretted that state institutions were being targeted under a “preposterous agenda”. He said the PDM was an alliance of rejected elements who were not faithful and loyal with the country. He said their only agenda was to create chaos and unrest. Former rulers gave hollow slogans to the people and continued filling their coffers by plundering and looting, he claimed.

Stressing that due respect would be given to the members of the Punjab Assembly, Mr Buzdar said Gujranwala would emerge as a stronghold of the ruling party. New projects for improving education and health facilities were being launched in the city and its problems would be redressed on priority, he claimed.

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2020