LAHORE – The newly-appointed Punjab governor, Latif Khosa met PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif at his residence in Jatti Umra on Tuesday, where the two agreed to cultivate better ties, a smooth working relationship and foster politics of reconciliation.
It was the Punjab governor’s first meeting with any political head reflecting an opening of a new phase of relationship between the PPP and PML-N. Nawaz also accorded Khosa and his team – Raja Riaz, Tanvir Ashraf Kaira and Imtiaz Safdar Warraich – a warm welcome. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman were also present.
Khosa said he wished to forge better relations and politics of reconciliation with the PML-N to jointly work for the progress and betterment of the people of Pakistan. He praised Nawaz’s role in strengthening democracy, adding that the PPP would continue to work with the PML-N to deepen democratic culture in the country.
Nawaz also hoped that the PPP-led government would play its due role in promoting political culture in Punjab. He said a better working relationship would lay down the foundation for sustainable development. Nawaz said he would be grateful if the governor worked with the Punjab government to ensure progress and prosperity in the province.
Nawaz assured Khosa that the complaints of the PPP ministers in Punjab would be addressed. Khosa said he would also meet leaders of other political parties. During the meeting, the Punjab governor invited Shahbaz and the members of his cabinet for dinner at the Governor’s House today (Wednesday).
Sources told Pakistan Today that the dinner invitation was in fact a proffer to make the PML-N leaders realise that the Governor’s House was not a ‘strange place’ and was open to all parties.
PPP Punjab Secretary General Samiullah Khan confirmed the invitation to Pakistan Today, saying that the PML-N leaders had accepted it. To a question about the PPP Punjab’s presence at the dinner, he said the party’s entire provincial leadership would attend the dinner.
