PML-Q's Cheema requests Tareen to 'control' Punjab Governor Sarwar

LAHORE: Is there any friction between the Houses of the Governor and Chief Minister of Punjab province? A new video of a meeting between top Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) leaders and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Jehangir Tareen has raised questions.

The video, which surfaced on Saturday, shows a meeting between Tareen, Punjab Minister for Mines and Minerals Hafiz Ammar Yasir, and PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Federal Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema.

In the video, Cheema can be heard speaking to Tareen. "Sir, control Sarwar! He will not let your chief minister continue," he tells Tareen in a candid manner.

The video has raised questions over the how much authority PTI's Usman Buzdar wields as chief minister in the province, and differences between the two allied parties—PTI and PML-Q. 

'CM Secretariat is the centre of power in Punjab'

Responding to a question over the video, Punjab Information Minister Fayyaz ul Hassan Chohan said the video and Cheema's words were being taken "out of context".

"The centre of power according to the law and Constitution is Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and the chief minister's secretariat. A hundred per cent of ministers stand with the chief minister and are working under his leadership," he said.

"There are apprehensions and reservations which were being conveyed to the leadership, which is what Tariq Cheema was doing during the meeting," said Chohan, adding that needless hype should not be created around the statement.

He said that Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and other allies of the PTI were working with his party and Chief Minister Buzdar.

"There are differences in politics which are minor issues. Cheema was speaking on this [differences] which is not a big deal. This doesn't mean that the chief minister is weak," he said. 

Elahi reassures PML-Q support to CM Buzdar

Speaking to reporters over the matter later in the day, PML-Q senior leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said his colleague, Tariq Cheema, was merely raising a reservation in an internal meeting between coalition partners.

"If we do not discuss issues in our own homes, then where will we do it? If our member does not speak to us, then how will his reservations be addressed?" Elahi said.

Elahi said Cheema had a longstanding concern regarding interference in matters related to his constituency. "This is what he raised with Jehangir Tareen," he said.

"The objective of such meetings is often to raise objections and resolve issues. PTI are our coalition partners. Reservations are raised and issues are resolved on a routine basis," he said, adding: "You cannot stop anyone from interfering. But reservations can only be addressed if they are raised. This is common in every party and coalition."

Speaking about the upcoming elections for vacant Senate seats, he said the PML-Q was supporting their coalition partners.

"About the Senate elections, the entire PTI leadership is involved, and our party is fully supporting Imran Khan's party. We have supported them in the past and are supporting them in these elections as well," he said.

The PML-Q leader said he has good relations with Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar, and rejected rumours of there being friction between members of the two allied parties.

"We have a commitment with Imran Khan. We are moving forward with chief Minister Buzdar and supporting him and his party in every way," he added.