PTI parliamentarians express grievances to PM Imran over inclusion of non-elected individuals in cabinet

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers on Wednesday expressed their grievances to Prime Minister Imran Khan over inclusion of non-elected individuals in the federal cabinet, sources told Geo News.

Prime Minister Imran chaired a parliamentary party meeting ahead of today's National Assembly session, in which PTI lawmakers put forward their grievances and reservations over the premier's decision to include non-elected individuals in his cabinet. 

The lawmakers in attendance told the prime minister that the opposition was saying that a few "non-elected individuals had been included in his cabinet". 

"There is no visible role of public representatives in the government's policies," the members pointed out, adding that the inclusion of "non-elected individuals" in the cabinet was "unacceptable" and that it was allowing the opposition an opportunity to criticise the government. 

At this, Prime Minister Imran was quoted as saying that he "took responsibility for his decisions".

"[We] have to fix the economy. I take responsibility for my decisions. Your reservations are [justified] but some tough decisions have to be taken," the prime minister was quoted as saying. 

"Removing Asad Umar was also a difficult decision. Asad Umar is still my right hand," the premier reportedly told the meeting.

Praising the local government initiative, the prime minister said during the meeting that the new system would change the country's destiny. 

"Powers will be delegated to the bottom-most levels," he said and asked the members to fully support the initiative. 

According to sources, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry were not in attendance at the meeting. 

Prime Minister Imran further instructed the lawmakers to ensure there was no shortcoming or negligence in the Ramzan Package.