LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Governor Latif Khosa on Monday agreed to run the affairs of the province with mutual consultation and cooperation, deciding not to bring up the past in their future dealings. The two leaders reached the decision during a one-on-one meeting held at Governor’s House.
The meeting was scheduled at 9am but it started about half hour late, and the agenda was not made public. Addressing a joint press conference after their meeting, Shahbaz and Khosa said the problems of the masses were their priority. Shahbaz said that he and his cabinet had been invited for dinner by Governor Khosa, expressing his gratitude over the invitation.
To a question about the murder of three youths by US consulate officials and the US government’s pressure to release the accused, Shahbaz reiterated that the provincial government would not give in to any national or international pressure in the trial of Raymond Davis and the investigation will be conducted on merit. He added that no immunity will be granted to anyone.
Denying the media reports which alleged that Raymond Davis was being shown leniency in police custody, Shahbaz said that his government wanted to confiscate the other US vehicle involved in the incident and the accused. Over the provision of diplomatic cover to the consulate officials, he clarified that it was the discretion of Foreign Office and federal government.
Replying to another query about the development in the case, the CM said that he could not comment on the investigations because the matter was sub-judice.Regarding the focus and the outcome of the meeting, Shahbaz said they had decided to run the affairs of province with mutual collaboration and consultation and as Khosa was a legal expert, the Punjab government as well as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz would benefit from his expertise.
Responding to the goodwill gestures of the Punjab government, Khosa also assured full cooperation, saying that Shahbaz’s visit was a good omen for provincial politics as well as administrative affairs. Khosa said that President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had also directed him to extend maximum assistance to the Punjab government and he has assured the CM on behalf of the federation that no stone will be left unturned in this regard.
