A thorn in the flesh: ‘PML-N, PPP nexus meant to hide corruption’

Aleem accuses Fazl of ‘hatching conspiracies’ against PTI

LAHORE: Senior Punjab Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has lamented the proposed alliance of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) and expected a meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari.

Speaking to media persons on Saturday, the senior minister said the nexus of the PML-N and the PPP was just to save corruption of both families which they did in their regimes. He said both the former ruling parties had been involved in corruption.

Their leaders looted public exchequer and acquired billions of rupees worth properties with this money abroad.

Aleem Khan said after having the surety of being caught in several mega corruption cases, Zardari was calling everyone for help but his effort would go in vain and he would face the law. The minister also criticised Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for playing his part in the deal between both parties.

In fact, he underscored, the defeat from the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was not being ‘digested’ by Fazl. “He (Fazl) is doing all this just to save his face,” the minister added.

He said hardly two months had been completed by the PTI government and opposition parties, who were rejected by the nation owing to their misplaced priorities and flawed policies, had started criticism on the government. “This criticism has no weight. Everyone knows that who have looted the national resources and making false propaganda,” he maintained.

Aleem Khan said the nation knew that who was trying to bring PML-N and PPP closer but all these schemes would fail ultimately as masses would not support any such tactics.

He said people have already given their mandate to the PTI’s leadership for the next five years and no effort would succeed to invade or topple the government before time.

He said the government would fulfill all its promises and would bring relief to the masses. “Prime Minister Imran Khan will succeed in eyes of the nation.” He said only the PML-N and PPP were interested to call all parties conference (APC) to save their corruption. He asked Fazl to refrain himself from participating in any such conference which had nothing to do with the national interest of the country.

Earlier, this week speaking at a news conference, Zardari and Fazl announced to call all opposition parties’ meeting to decided future political strategy on October 31. “Both leaders claimed that all opposition parties are united to have a joint strategy for bringing stability in the country.

However, Zardari clarified that opposition did not want to topple the government but to strengthen democracy in the country,” Aleem remarked. “PPP was strengthening the democracy in the country for since last 10 years.”

Fazl, on Friday, also visited Lahore to convince Nawaz Sharif to participate in the moot. But Nawaz Sharif had sought some time for consultation with his party leadership.

Political pundits believe that the moot is likely to be postponed as the leaders of both big parties, the PML-N and the PPP, are reluctant to share the stage with each other. However, Fazl is trying his level best to bring both leaders close to each other.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2018.