PM Imran weighs in on Qureshi, Tareen war of words

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday weighed in on the war of words between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Jahangir Tareen.

Sources quoting the prime minister informed Geo News that he has stopped cabinet members from issuing statements and stressed that internal differences of the party should not make their way onto the media.

A day earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was critical of Jahangir Tareen for attending government and official meetings. Shah told reporters Tareen had been disqualified by the Supreme Court and barred from contesting elections and his attending meetings opened the door for criticism by PTI opponents.

Responding to Qureshi, Tareen said he was answerable only to Prime Minister Imran Khan and no one could stop him from serving Pakistan. Several PTI leaders including federal ministers Fawad Chaudhry and Faisal Vawda defended Tareen’s attendance at Federal Cabinet meetings.

The prime minister has been quoted as saying that he himself gave Tareen an assignment on the agricultural policy. Prime Minister Khan added that it was up to him to decide who would attend meetings.

“Shah Mehmood and Jahangir Tareen are senior leaders and their opinions are considered important,” sources quoted Prime Minister Khan.

Prime Minister Khan stressed that the entire party should demonstrate unity in overcoming challenges faced by Pakistan.