The PML-N has decided to continue negotiations with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and opposition alliance head Mahmood Khan Achakzai after the religio-political party leader met with the N-league’s top leader earlier this week.
It was decided in a party meeting held at the Central Secretariat in Model Town, Lahore. PML-N President Nawaz Sharif presided over the meeting. The gathering focused on the current political landscape and included key figures such as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
Nawaz addressed participants, reiterating his claims that the PTI policies pushed the public into the depths of inflation.
The meeting follows a recent encounter between Fazl and PM Shehbaz Sharif, indicating a shift in the political scene. Sources said that the participants agreed to hold the Punjab local body elections in the last week of October this year.
They also discussed the implications of Fazl’s decision not to join the government and reached a consensus to continue negotiations with him and Achakzai.
The PML-N leaders proposed measures to reduce commercial electricity prices and improve transmission lines. They also discussed the creation of a new mechanism for price control to tackle rising inflation.
Moreover, the launch of a free solar panel scheme was suggested during the discussions. Sources added that the leaders addressed various political matters, including relief measures for electricity consumers in Punjab and Islamabad and a briefing on the new local government system in Punjab.
At the meeting, Nawaz claimed that the PML-N was the only “party capable” of providing relief to the people in these “challenging times.”
He said that stabilising the economy was among PML-N’s priorities, stating: “We will do whatever it takes to ease the burden of electricity bills and strengthen the economy.” He noted that while relief has already been provided to residential consumers, the party was seeking ways to assist industrial consumers as well.
The PML-N president has ordered the federal government and Punjab government to “control” expenditures, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal told reporters after the meeting.
He added that PML-N leaders reviewed relief measures for electricity bills in Punjab during the meeting and Nawaz stressed the need for alleviating the burden of inflation on the people by addressing energy crisis.
Iqbal highlighted that an “effective” local government system is part of the PML-N’s manifesto.
He stated that the PML-N demands the establishment of a robust local government system, noting that the local government minister provided a briefing on the elections and legislation.
The planning minister claimed that the PTI leader enjoyed a five-star accommodation in jail and asserted that he would not receive any concessions.
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He urged the PTI founder to apologise for the events that took place on May 9 when violent protesters vandalised state buildings and military installations.
Iqbal mentioned that PM Shehbaz met with Fazl in Lahore and in the coming days, they plan to engage with leaders of other political parties as well. He confirmed that local elections would be held soon after the necessary legal amendments.
Regarding Nawaz’s potential trip to London, Iqbal clarified that there was no definitive plan at the moment. “If Sharif does travel, it will be after a medical examination, and he intends to return afterwards.”
