A day after Prime Minister Imran Khan issued a statement on U-turns, President Arif Alvi on Saturday came forward in support of the premier and shared that he too has taken U-turns. While visiting a shopping mall in Lahore, the president while speaking to the media said, “I have taken many U-turns in my life.” The president further said, “Decisions are taken according to situations.” In a meeting with senior journalists, PM Imran Khan said a leader who does not know how to take U-turns according to the requirements of the situation is not a real leader. The premier citing an example from his cricket days when he led Pakistan’s national team and said, “We used to make a strategy and then step out into the field but if the opponent team formed a strategy against ours then we would have to change it.” Separately, Arif Alvi met a delegation of ulemas representing different sects at the Governor’s House. Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar was also present at the meeting. The president stressed on the need to highlight the true essence of Islam while projecting Islam’s inherited positive, polite and peaceful aspects. The president reiterated on the fact that the government is the determined guardian to protect Namoos-e-Risalat. The government will consult the ulemas to play their effective role so that Tahafuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat and Blasphemy Laws are not misused. Ulemas should fully cooperate with the government to ensure that sacred notions are not misused to create conflicts, aggression and destruction of peace in the country. The president said that the government is not considering any change in clause 295 C of Blasphemy laws. Alama Ayub Safdar on behalf of ulema’s delegation assured that the ulemas will extend all possible help to ensure peace of the country and will cooperate effectively to make Pakistan a welfare Islamic state. The president said that the government is not considering any proposal to accept Israel. The president further said that the process of registration of mosques and madrassas will be smoothened and facilitated as per laws so that registration process gets completed soon. Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said during the meeting that the government will protect Namoos-e-Risalat. Separately, Senior Minister Punjab Abdul Aleem Khan hosted a luncheon in honour of Alvi at his residence in which Sarwar, newly elected Senator Seemi Ezdi, MNA Munnaza Hassan and former MPA Muhammad Shoaib Siddique were also present. On this occasion, Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan welcomed the president on his first tour to Lahore and apprised him about the upcoming local bodies system in Punjab. He also discussed regarding 100 days’ plan and success achieved in the encroachment drive in the province. In addition to the matters of mutual interest, success of both Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) senators in Punjab also came under discussion. The First Lady and wife of governor Punjab were also present at the lunch. Separately, Adviser to Punjab CM Aun Chaudhry hosted a dinner in honour of Alvi who visited his residence along with Sarwar. MPA Chaudhry Muhammad Amin and other senior party leaders were also present on this occasion. Aun Chaudhary extended his gratitude to the president for his arrival at his residence. Matters relating to the president political situation and mutual affairs came under discussion. While talking to the president, Aun said that the Punjab government was implementing on the welfare-oriented policies of PTI align with the vision of Imran Khan to extend honest relief to the public in all the sectors. Aun said that there is an unprecedented strong alliance of likeminded parties of PTI and the success of the candidates of ruling party in the senate by-elections is the proof of their confidence in its welfare based policies of the present government. Alvi lauded the role of Aun for his efforts to achieve the dream of real democracy in the country as he has been given important responsibilities in the province for completion of the vision of the PM. The president hoped that Punjab will progress in the real sense. Published in Daily Times, November 18th 2018.