LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan explains why Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Fawad Chaudhary, and Hammad Azhar were not given tickets for Punjab elections.
In an interview with a private TV channel, Imran Khan stated that these three ministers are crucial to running the federal government, and if they all go to Punjab, then who will run the country? He also dismissed Fawad Chaudhary’s displeasure and stated that as a leader, the country’s well-being is more important than personal wishes.
His statement came days after PTI North Punjab Vice President Chaudhry Zahid Akhtar on Friday stepped down from his post in protest against allocation of party ticket to senior party leader Fawad Chaudhry’s brother from PP-25 (Jhelum) constituency.
When asked about the chief minister of Punjab, Imran Khan stated that he has not made any decisions yet. He mentioned his previous experience with three people who were considering themselves as the chief minister and who had already started rewarding their supporters. Therefore, he chose Usman Buzdar as the Chief Minister, who did not belong to any group.
Imran Khan acknowledged that Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Fawad Chaudhary, and Hammad Azhar have the abilities to become the chief minister of Punjab, but he needs them in the federal government.
The PTI finalised a list of 297 candidates earlier this week for the elections, which the Supreme Court (SC) had ordered to be held on May 14. Imran had decided to interview all party candidates in person to uphold merit in awarding party tickets.
