PML-Q refuses to hold talks with new PTI team.

Byline: Zulqernain Tahir

LAHORE -- Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain declared on Sunday that his party would not hold talks with the new committee constituted by Prime Minister Imran Khan to address reservations of disgruntled government allies till 'all points agreed' with the Jahangir Tareen-led panel were implemented in letter and spirit.

On the other hand, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar expressed the hope that the PML-Q would remain a coalition partner and said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) wanted to go into local bodies polls and next general elections along with it (PML-Q).

The gulf between the ruling PTI and its coalition partners widened after PM Khan stopped his confidant Jahangir Tareen from further holding talks with the PML-Q and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement reportedly on complaints from some PTI leaders that he was more inclined to protect the interest of the alienated partners than the government's.

'Perhaps for the first time PM Khan listened to complaints against Mr Tareen on any issue and decided in favour of complainants without hearing the view point of his close friend,' an insider in the PTI told Dawn.

'PM Khan was told by some party leaders in Punjab that Mr Tareen had accepted most of the PML-Q's demands and issued directives like a chief minister to implement them forthwith. The opponents of the Chaudhrys in the PTI camp managed to convince the premier that it was not in the party's interest to be 'so generous' in giving in to the demands of the PML-Q straightaway. Since the Chaudhrys are smart politicians, the PTI should also play smart in dealing with them and linger on such matters,' he said.

Punjab governor sees no threat to alliance; PML-N predicts Q-League's exit from coalition

Imran Khan was easily persuaded because of his 'own distrust' in the allies, the PTI leader said. Similarly, he said, Mr Tareen's style of offering 'much' to the MQM was also not liked by some PTI leaders in Sindh after which PM Khan dissolved the panel headed by Mr Tareen and formed new committees to hold talks with the allies.

Mr Tareen is in London and could not be reached by Dawn for comments.

Last week PM Khan abruptly dissolved Tareen-led committee also comprising Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak that had been holding parleys with the PML-Q and the MQM for quite sometimes to placate their concerns.

The premier gave mandate to Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar...