LAHORE: Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leaders Awn Chaudhry and Nauman Langrial have decided to retain their cabinet positions.
Awn Chaudhry and Noman Langrial are members of the federal cabinet as advisors to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. They have retained their positions in the federal cabinet even after the formation of the IPP.
IPP Patron-in-Chief Jahangir Khan Tareen has directed both leaders to retain their cabinet positions till the government completes its tenure. He said the IPP is a responsible party and believes in political stability.
Awn Chaudhry said they are part of the prime minister’s team and will remain till completion of the government’s tenure. He said there is no truth in resigning from the cabinet.
A controversy erupted earlier after it was reported that Awn Chaudhry and Nauman Langrial had resigned as special assistant to PM Shehbaz Sharif.
IPP spokesperson Firdaus Ashiq Awan told media that both will hand over their resignation to the party leadership, but a precise date about their resignation will be decided by the IPP chief.
Awan further stated that the party wanted the two leaders to resign since they were now part of an independent political party with its own ideology and manifesto.
However, Chaudhry denied the reports and said he was awaiting the final nod from the party chief. Both were instructed by to stay in their present position till further directions.
IPP president Aleem Khan had recently directed Awn Chaudhry and Nauman Langrial and to resign from federal cabinet.
Aleem Khan said the IPP had no relation with the PDM-led government and Langrial and Chaudhry were independent members of the cabinet. He said the IPP will contest election separately.
