KP, Punjab LG polls: PM Imran Khan forms committee to devise strategy for second phase

• Sources say major decisions regarding upcoming LG polls in Punjab expected in meeting today.
• Punjab and KP chief ministers and federal ministers are attending meeting, which is currently under way.
• Sources say arrangements for KP LG polls' second phase and upcoming Punjab LG polls will be discussed.

LAHORE/ ISLAMABAD: After a major setback for PTI in the first phase of the 2021 local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Prime Minister Imran has formed a 21-member supreme committee to devise a political strategy for the second phase of LG polls.

The first meeting of the supreme committee is under way in Islamabad and is being chaired by the premier himself.

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari, PTI chief organiser Saifullah Niazi, KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur, Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood and Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak are in attendance.

Earlier, sources privy to the matter had said that major decisions regarding the upcoming LG polls in Punjab are also expected at the meeting.

Sources further stated that the meeting will review the candidates for the divisional headquarters' metropolitan commissioner slot and mayor slots who are contesting in the first phase of Punjab LG polls.

Moreover, the names of political personalities will be considered for nomination for the mayor's seats.

Earlier, PM Imran Khan had directed the party leadership to adopt a joint strategy for the upcoming LG polls in Punjab, The News reported.

The premier advised that the Punjab leadership should consult with senior leaders to devise a plan of action to perform better in the Punjab LG elections.

He was presiding over a meeting of PTI members and senior leadership to hold consultations on local body elections in Punjab.

PM Imran Khan said that he has always respected the views of senior workers and leaders of the party.

He decided to personally monitor PTI's strategy for the LG polls in Punjab, saying that the party should prepare for the contest from this very moment.

The prime minister said that the government wants the transfer of power at a lower level to form a strong local government system for the solution of people's problems on the grassroot level.