LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has alleged that infighting between incarcerated PTI supremo Imran Khan’s wife and a sister is going on to have a control over the party.

“In the PTI everyone has his own interests and a battle between Bushra Bibi and Aleema Khan is going on for the control of the party. There is no party direction due to the lack of facilitation and coaching,” the minister said here on Monday.

She said the person who refused to accept defeat is now begging for NRO. Those who were fighting against American slavery are now carrying US flags in rallies, she said, referring to hoisting of the American flag in the Swabi rally of the PTI.

Azma Bokhari said after the flop Swabi show, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Ghandapur and other party leaders were fighting among themselves. “No one within the party is willing to accept Ghandapur as CM nor does anyone take his orders seriously,” she lambasted.

She said waving the US flag at the Swabi rally was tantamount to pledging loyalty to their American masters. “The chaos within the PTI and among its followers is leading the country toward further turmoil and disarray. Those who are spreading chaos are heading toward their downfall.”

OFF-SEASON VEGETABLES: The government has launched a project at a cost of Rs3 billion to increase production of tomatoes and onions in Punjab, says a release.

It said 70 per cent subsidy would be given on planter, pruners, superior and other agricultural equipment for mechanised farming of vegetables. “The farmer will have to pay only 30pc of the total cost. Likewise, the government will also give a 70pc subsidy on buying pulping units, dryers and graders for value addition.”

Lodhran, Multan and Vehari districts have been selected for onion cultivation, and Khushab, Sheikhupura and Muzaffargarh for tomato sowing to enhance cultivation area and production of land.

It has been decided to constitute farmer enterprise groups of land owners up to 25 acres in the above-mentioned six districts.

“The farmer groups will be imparted training in the Farmers Field School about modern methods of agriculture.”

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2024