The ministers came under severe criticism by no other than their own party members for keeping no contact with members of the Parliament after taking oath as members of the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan. In a meeting of Parliamentary Committee of the PTI, which held here with Finance Minister Asad Umar in the chair, the party MNAs complained that 'all the ministers including the finance minister' have no contact with ordinary MNAs since assuming their offices.
The meeting which was called on the directives of Prime Minister Khan, who is also the chairman PTI, left the ministers red-faced as they had nothing to justify their "negligence."
The sources said that Umar was asked to consider ground realities when it comes to policies so that the hard work he puts in does not go to waste. "If the attitude of the ministers remains so, I am afraid to say that the party will not be able to come up to the expectations of the masses," one of the participants was quoted as telling the finance minister.
The meeting discussed and decided the government's strategy on the economic situation in the country while it also discussed the recently formed opposition's alliance. The finance minister briefed the participants on the mini-budget, while also shared the government's vision about the same.
Disgruntled members from South Punjab and Faisalabad complained about the federal ministers, saying if the same attitude persists then the party will face difficulties in South Punjab during the next election.
The sources said that PTI Chief Whip Amir Dogar was also apprehensive about the attitude of the federal ministers. Talking to media persons after the meeting, he came down hard on the ministers, saying their lack of participation in the meeting is a clear indicator of their non-seriousness. He further said that it is unfortunate that members of the party have to ask for time to meet the federal ministers.
He said that the meeting was only convened as PTI's National Assembly members demanded a briefing on the economy. He also briefly touched upon the trading of words between Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and leader of Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid) Moonis Elahi.
Dogar said the Prime Minister will certainly look into the matter. Besides, he also hinted at certain factions in Sindh vying for change in the province. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Asad Umar said that for the past five months, no one has ever asked for a party level meeting and now that the issue has come to the government's attention, all grievances will be addressed forthwith.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also assured the members of having constant and continuous meetings and contacts with them. Defence Minister Pervez Khattak said that all ministers will brief the assembly's PTI members once a week.
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