Cracks in PTI now clearer

[ahlam1399]

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Grouping in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came to the fore once again, as differences between Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Jahangir Khan Tareen - two bigwigs of the party, again surfaced on Monday.Other members of the cabinet also chipped in, mostly to throw their weight behind Tareen.Though, Tareen no more holds the slot of secretary general of PTI, following his disqualification by the Supreme Court, he commands considerable influence in the rank and file of the party, whereas Qureshi is vice-chairman.Initially, it was Qureshi, who holds slot of Foreign Minister, at news conference, politely suggested to Tareen to desist from attending the official meetings, as these provided ‘cannon fodder’ to PML-N to question his presence at such events.While addressing a press conference at Governor’s House, Qureshi said that Tareen should not attend the official meetings as it gives the opposition parties a chance to criticise the PTI government. However, the foreign minister also acknowledged Tareen’s services to the party, and called him a God-gifted man with outstanding capabilities.Flanked by Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Qureshi cited the example of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and stated that he had been disqualified for lifetime under Article 62(1)(f). He said that same principle was also applicable to Jahangir Tareen and he should also respect the court verdict.He said Tareen’s presence in the meeting of federal cabinet and other official meetings was disrespect to the judgment of incumbent Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.Qureshi said the officials raise objections when Tareen conducts meetings and that causes criticism of the government. He said his appearance in official meetings gave justification to Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and the opposition to point fingers at the government. He said he was well aware of their sentiments and the PTI worker was not welcoming the presence of Jahangir Tareen in official meetings.The PTI leader also raised objection over the idea of renaming Benazir Income Support Programme. He said that was a non-issue and instead of removing the name of Benazir Bhutto from the programme, efforts should be made to improve the functioning of the project.Qureshi, while commenting over the victory of PTI candidate in a Multan by-election, said despite joining of hands of the opposition parties, they suffered defeat. He said the PPP had no future in Punjab and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the PPP Chairman should get rid of the ‘rejected’ faces.To another query, he said the government had no plan to amend the 18th Amendment, adding that the PPP was only playing ‘Sindh card’ over the issue.To a question about Kartapur Corridor, he said India had been advised not to cancel the dialogue process and take up its concerns with the Pakistani side. He said Pakistan wanted to continue the dialogue process.Responding to a question about the economic challenges faced by the country, he said the PTI government was making efforts to get eject Pakistan’s name removed from grey list. He said the nation was well aware of the fact who was responsible for the present price-hike in the country. Jahangir Tareen, on the other hand, described the objections as “strange reasons”. Through a tweet, he said: “There is only one man in my life whom I consider my leader and to whom I am answerable.“I have stood by his side through thick and thin and will continue to do so till my last breath, Insha-Allah,” said Tareen.Noted PTI figures including federal ministers Faisal Vawda, Fawad Chaudhry, Punjab ministers including Shaukat Laleka, Nauman Langrial also expressed support for Tareen.The government’s top spokesperson, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, who is minister for information and broadcasting, came forward to defend Tareen, saying he joins the cabinet meeting on the wish of Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, no PTI leader issued any statement in support of the stance of Shah Mehmood Qureshi.Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda, while extending support to Jahangir Khan Tareen in this latest incident through a tweet said that “JKT sits in official meetings on the insistence of cabinet members including myself.“He has selflessly done a lot for the party; we respect him as a senior colleague and learn from his expertise. Nobody in the party can dictate us; PM is our leader and we take instructions from him only,” said Vawda.Punjab Minister for Zakat and Ushar Shaukat Ali Laleka, while talking to The News condemned critics of Jahangir Tareen and stated that JKT had always stood by party through thick and thin, adding that his contribution for the PTI was remarkable.Sheikh Salman Naeem, the PTI MPA from Multan, who defeated Qureshi in general election from Multan, told The News that JKT was the asset of Tehreek-e-Insaf. “Those speaking against Tareen sahib are the real enemies of PTI,” said Sheikh Salman Naeem.Malik Nauman Langrial, Punjab Agriculture Minister, also held a meeting with Jahangir Khan Tareen and extended support to him.It goes without saying that the saga of differences between the two is not new; it came up strongly during the phase of awarding tickets to the PTI candidates for 2018 general elections. Qureshi and Tareen had strong difference of opinion on who should be left out and who should be given nod to contest elections. On its part, the party had denied such scene.Tareen was disqualified by the Supreme Court in December 2017 for mis-declaration under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution — the same provision under which former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was held ineligible for life to hold any public office over the Panama Papers case.Adviser to the Punjab Chief Minister and a close aide of the prime minister, Awn Chaudhry, did not lag behind in backing Tareen by tweeting, “As a PTI activist, I have learnt a lot from Jahangir Tareen. His services for Pakistan and PTI are unparalleled. Pakistan needs him now more than ever. His necessary presence in official meetings always adds to the effectiveness of the matter and doesn’t create any controversy.”A known social media activist of the PTI tweeted that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) feared sagging popularity in Sindh because of a successful meeting in Ghotki [addressed by Imran Khan]; the next day Qureshi addressed a press conference to create rift in the PTI although he could have discussed the matter with the prime minister within the party.Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister Tamur Khan and Punjab Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal too stood with Tareen and showered praise on his “unforgettable” services for the PTI.However, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail was discreet and refused to become a party in the open confrontation when asked by a reporter about the row. “I greatly regret and feel sorry over this exchange,” he said.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/com/cwEr/~4/mFjBWuxF720

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