The CM decides to call the meeting after receiving reports of legislators reaching out to each other, sources said
PESHAWAR:
Differences have emerged within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary party in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, with discontent growing among cabinet members ahead of the provincial budget proving a major headache for Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
In response to this, the Prime Minister has called a parliamentary party meeting this (Sunday) evening.
Reports of disgruntled PTI assemblymen emerged only after a recent expansion of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa cabinet. According to sources, the chief minister decided to call the meeting after receiving reports of lawmakers reaching out to each other.
All assembly members have been directed to ensure their attendance in the session. Sources further revealed that CM Sohail Afridi and other ministers have contacted disgruntled legislators and personally invited them to attend the meeting.
Prior to the parliamentary party assembly, the disaffected members have allegedly called for their own consultation meeting. The emergence of a faction of unhappy legislators just before the budget has added to the chief minister’s problems.
The independent stance of PTI members in the assembly could prove problematic, sources warned. Meanwhile, a clear message has been conveyed to the unhappy legislators: any attempt to create difficulties for the government could make it more difficult for them to secure party tickets in the next election.
