Political uncertainty deepened on Thursday as Prime Minister hinted that he would call new elections but maintained he would not give an NRO to the opposition. Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court remarked that Finance Minister Dr. Hafeez Shaikh should have resigned after losing the Senate election, further stroking political tension.
A private news channel reported that Prime Minister has told the core committee of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) that he would not come under any pressure to grant an NRO to the opposition. He said he would call fresh elections as the party is enjoying the support of the people. The core committee also decided that Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar will remain the CM Punjab. PM Imran Khan continues to have confidence in Usman Buzdar, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said in a television show.
This decision had come at a time when rumors of removing Usman Buzdar from the post were circulating on social media yet again. Senior journalist Kamran Khan had released a video message for the Prime Minister in which he said Usman Buzdar should be removed to make governance better in Punjab. Alongside such developments, the name of Minister for Law and Justice Raja Basharat was circulating for the position of CM Punjab.
Lahore High Court also questioned the governance in Punjab. LHC bench said Punjab is facing a governance issue as garbage was not being cleaned from Lahore.
In another case, LHC called for details of all the advisors to the Prime Minister. LHC bench remarked that Dr. Hafeez Shaikh should have resigned after losing the Senate election as he has lost the moral support of the Parliament.
