Multiple senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have sought to remove Usman Buzdar from his post as Punjab Chief Minister, reportedly asking Prime Minister Imran Khan to make a decision about the CM’s ouster. The opposition in recent weeks has targeted Buzdar, while meeting the ruling PTI’s allies to remove him from his position.
According to sources close to the matter, Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak and Planning, Development Minister Asad Umar, Punjab Governor Chaudhary Sarwar and Sindh Governor Imran Ismail have back Buzdar’s removal.
“Federal ministers will present their views to Prime Minister Imran Khan today,” the sources claimed.
Soon after the opposition submitted their no-confidence motion, Usman Buzdar reportedly had a one-on-one meeting with PM Imran, with some reports indicating he had tendered his resignation to appease certain factions within the PTI. PM Imran reportedly rejected his resignation.
Instead, the prime minister told reporters that Buzdar was an ‘easy target’ for the opposition, who had their eyes set on the Punjab Chief Minister seat.
Two of the major voices from within the party calling for Buzdar’s ouster are Aleem Khan and Jahangir Tareen. Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak reportedly contacted the Tareen group on Tuesday. One source told Dawn, “Mr Khattak told the Tareen group that if it was not happy with CM Buzdar it should propose a name as the replacement and that the government may consider it.”
Previously, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman and opposition leader Asif Ali Zardari had nominated Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) MPA Chaudhry Parvez Elahi to replace Usman Buzdar in the role.
