PM invites allies for dinner tonight, PML-Q apologizes for participation

LAHORE (92 News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan has invited coalition partners to a dinner on Sunday night (tonight) at his official residence but Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) apologized for participation. According to sources, the prime minister has stepped up efforts to convince the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), an estranged ally of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf led ruling coalition. The government has also initiated implementation of the agenda agreed with the BNP-M including six percent jobs for Balochistan in federal government departments to pacify the party. The PML-Q spokesperson leadership took the decision due to busy schedule of party leaders. However, he clarified that his party will vote for the government during the budget approval process. It was also reported that PM Imran Khan has decided to host a dinner for party members and allies today in order to remove their reservations. The premier will listen to their concerns in the gathering and also hold consultations regarding approval of budget 2020-21 along with other party affairs. Earlier a day, the BNP-M refused to attend the dinner and the party’s chief has maintained that since the party was no longer a partner in the coalition there was no sense in attending the dinner. Meanwhile, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), another coalition partner from the province, has decided to attend the dinner and extend support to the government for approval of the federal budget for Year 2020-21. Federal ministers and PTI members would also attend the dinner. It is pertinent to mention here that the PTI government unveiled its second budget on June 12 in the Parliament, which had the total outlay of Rs7,294.9 billion.