Top PTI leaders seek Usman Buzdar's dismissal as CM Punjab: sources

LAHORE: Many senior PTI leaders associated with the federal government are in favour of the removal of incumbent Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, sources told Geo News.

Officials, privy to the development, say that some of the most senior federal government ministers backed Buzdar's removal.

Sources said that the ministers backing the removal include Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak and Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar. On the other hand, Punjab Governor Chaudhary Sarwar and Sindh Governor Imran Ismail also wish to see a change in the province’s top office.

“Federal ministers will present their views to Prime Minister Imran Khan today,” said the sources. The PM will decide on the next course of action after assessing the overall political situation, they added.

PM refuses to accept Buzdar’s resignation

In a separate meeting with embattled Punjab’s Chief Minister Usman Buzdar today, PM Imran Khan rejected his resignation and asked him to continue working, sources said.

“Buzdar presented his resignation to the prime minister during the meeting and told him that he is ready to step down if matters are settled through this,” sources said and added that he will stand by the party and the prime minister.

The sources said that Buzdar told the PM that he was thankful to him for appointing CM Punjab. “I am not greedy for any office.”

Meanwhile, Punjab government spokesperson Hasaan Khawar has rejected the reports claiming that the chief minister offered to resign and suggested appointing someone else in his place.

The reports had earlier claimed that Buzdar was ready to resign in favour of PML-Q’s Pervaiz Elahi.

Khawar said that Usman Bazdar has the full confidence of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“The chief minister did not say anything about giving the post to anyone. PTI is united under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and will remain united, God willing.”

Punjab Assembly position  

In the Punjab Assembly, PTI and its allies have 198 members. Out of the 198, PTI has 183 MPAs, PML-Q 10, and four independent members. 

On the other hand, the Opposition has 173 MPAs in total. Out of the 173, PML-N has 165 MPAs, PPP seven and one independent MPA.

Anyone who wishes to form the government needs to have the backing of at least 186 MPAs. If 20 MPAs of disgruntled PTI leader Jahangir Tareen join the Opposition then the Buzdar government can be sent packing. 

PM to meet Tareen group members

Separately, sources told Geo News that PM Imran Khan has summoned a meeting with the lawmakers from the Tareen group today, where he will listen to their reservations.

The PM is also expected to meet former Punjab minister and disgruntled PTI leader Aleem Khan as well. The meeting is happening after Aleem decided to join the Jahangir Tareen group.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, on the other hand, will meet with the prime minister to tell him more about the Tareen group's grievances.

"Aleem Khan, Tareen, and the rest of the friends are the party's assets, and there doesn't seem to be a compulsion or differences that [the party members] couldn't come closer," Ismail said.

He expressed confidence that the situation would get better as all the matters would be resolved.

PM given list of MPs suspected of voting in favour of no-trust move

Meanwhile, sources have shared that PM Imran has been given a list of MPs that may vote for the Opposition’s no-confidence motion.

Officials, privy to the development, say that list has names of 28 MPs and has been made by a civilian institution.

Sources also say that the government is keeping a watch on the 28 people and other MPs that are deemed “suspicious”.

Officials say the list is mostly made up of people who had switched their loyalties towards PTI.

According to sources, the PM has tasked Pervez Khattak and Shah Mehmood Qureshi to win over the disgruntled MPs.