CM decides to call meeting after receiving reports of legislators contacting each other, sources say
PESHAWAR:
Differences have emerged within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary party in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, and growing dissatisfaction among government members over the provincial budget is becoming a major headache for Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
In response, the Chief Minister called a parliamentary meeting of the party this afternoon (Sunday).
Reports of disgruntled PTI assembly members first emerged following a recent expansion of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa cabinet. According to sources, the Chief Minister decided to call the meeting after receiving reports of legislators approaching each other.
All assembly members have been ordered to ensure their attendance at the session. Sources further revealed that CM Sohail Afridi and other ministers have contacted disgruntled lawmakers, personally inviting them to attend the meeting.
Before the parliamentary party meeting, disgruntled members reportedly called their own consultative meeting. The emergence of a faction of disgruntled legislators just before the budget has added to the Chief Minister’s woes.
The independent stance of PTI members in the assembly could prove problematic, sources warned. Meanwhile, a clear message has been conveyed to disgruntled lawmakers: any attempt to create difficulties for the government could make it difficult for them to obtain party tickets in the next elections.
