PML-Q rejects PM Imran's dinner invitation as party leaders are 'busy'.

ISLAMABAD -- The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) announced on Sunday that it would not be attending the dinner at Prime Minister Imran Khan's residence Bani Gala, following Balochistan National Party-Mengal's (BNP-M) rejection a day ago.

PM Imran has invited the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its coalition parties' lawmakers to Bani Gala for a dinner, where he is expected to take the MNAs in confidence regarding government policies.

The purpose of the dinner is to ensure the presence of MNAs of the ruling party and its allies in the National Assembly where PTI's budget 2020-21 is pending approval, claim sources.

The PM is also expected to discuss the government's strategy for the approval of the budget.

Besides, sources say, PM Imran will also address the concerns and grievances of miffed allies of the ruling party.

The PML-Q is an ally of the government but will not be attending the dinner, maintained the coalition party in its rejection of PM Imran's invitation.

The PML-Q spokesperson confirmed that the federal government contacted the party leadership and invited them to the dinner. However, said the spokesperson, the party leaders will not be attending due to their busy schedules.

Nonetheless, according to the spokesperson, the party will be voting for the government's side of the aisle for budget 2020-21.

The PTI-led government has been facing the ire of lawmakers currently due to its decision of a record hike of 26 per cent in the prices of all petroleum products.

Earlier, the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) also announced its refusal to attend the dinner at Bani Gala.

BNP-M President Sardar Akhtar Mengal said that the dinner is for allies of the ruling party, and his party is no longer an ally so they won't be attending.

Meanwhile, on Saturday...