Sarwar, Elahi agree to strengthen cooperation in Punjab

LAHORE: Hours after a leaked video gave rise to rumours of differences between PTI and PML-Q, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) leader Pervaiz Elahi talked to each other on phone and vowed to strengthen cooperation as coalition partners, ARY News reported.

According to details, Governor Punjab and Speaker Punjab Assembly agreed to further the cooperation between the two parties and strengthen the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Punjab.

A video emerged today showing Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) leaders Pervaiz Elahi, Tariq Bashir Cheema and Minister for Mines and Minerals Hafiz Ammar Yasir — chatting with PTI stalwart Jahangir Tareen during a meeting.

PML-Q’s Tariq Basheer Cheema can be seen complaining to Jahangir Tareen about Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar’s “interference”. Pervaiz Elahi can be seen repeating Tariq Cheema’s words.

PM Imran Khan has reportedly taken notice of the incident after the video went viral and is expected to call a meeting of his party’s provincial leaders, legislators along with PML-Q leadership to end differences between the coalition partners.

Earlier, in an emergency press conference, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi denied the impression that his party and ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are at loggerheads over Sarwar’s role.

“Jahangir Tareen was there to demand our vote for (upcoming Senate elections) and as our voter sometimes complains about our negligence, we too put before him our reservations,” said Pervaiz Elahi.

He maintained that there absolutely no major differences among the two parties and PML-Q legislators will continue to support PTI-led government both in center and Punjab.

About Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar’s alleged interference, he said that Tariq Basheer Cheema felt that Sarwar’s interference in matters related to his constituency was undue and he “only spoke his heart out”.