ISLAMABAD: Minister of Planning and Development Asad Umar and Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed their frustration on Tuesday at Minister of Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry making disclosures about rifts within the PTI ranks, urging Prime Minister Imran Khan to call on members of the cabinet to remain together.
Umar and Qureshi took the matter up during a meeting of the federal cabinet. The Minister of Planning and Development complained that the statement Fawad made about him was “irresponsible.”
In an interview with an international news organization, Fawad had maintained that PTI stalwart Jahangir Tareen had removed Umar from the Finance Minister ‘s post, but when the latter had made a comeback with another portfolio, the former had been “ousted”.
A media source says that Fawad tried to give an explanation, saying that it was necessary to watch the whole interview to understand the context of what he was saying, but the Premier stopped him from further speaking on the subject and changed the subject of discussion.
The PTI government has six months to run, Fawad Chaudhry says.
He told cabinet members, however, to be careful about what they were saying and remain united.
Federal Water Resources Minister Faisal Vawda also spoke on the matter saying the government was being hurt by the rivalry between ministers. “We are told in the cabinet meeting that everything is fine, but the reality is different on the ground,” he added, denouncing the behaviors of other ministers.
“That’s why we are unable to present the vision of the PTI. We also maintain a report of who is misleading the cabinet.”
The prime minister also prevented Vawda from further speaking on the issue.
PM Imran instructed his advisors and special assistants to give details of their dual citizenship to the Cabinet Division during the meeting.
The cabinet was also informed that all others had provided details about their assets apart from one adviser and three special assistants.
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