Ahsan seeks PM Imran’s resignation over doubts on Nawaz’s report

PML-N leader sys PTI govt had ‘failed’ on fronts of providing jobs, lowering inflation and reducing poverty

LAHORE:

Prime Minister Imran Khan, his adviser to health and Punjab health minister should resign, if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, despite having the assistance of all institutions and agencies, thinks it was deceived by Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) General Secretary Ahsan Iqbal said, while reacting to the decision of accountability watchdog to bring back former premier to Pakistan.

Ahsan said the PTI government had “failed” on the fronts of providing jobs, lowering inflation, reducing poverty and improving overall economy and was now trying to divert the attention of people with non-issues.

He said that it was the government that had allowed Nawaz to fly abroad after it verified his health condition officially and privately.

The PML-N leader noted that PM Imran himself had assured the federal cabinet that the former premier was suffering from life-threatening conditions.

He recalled that the Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid had been personally monitoring Nawaz’s treatment and that PM Imran got the entire matter verified by Shaukat Khanum’s doctor Dr Faisal Sultan.

“If Nawaz Sharif did manage to deceive the government then the prime minister, adviser on health and provincial health minister should resign first before proceeding for his return,” he said.

Reacting to railway minister’s remarks of NRO, Ahsan asked how the government could give an NRO when neither the courts nor the NAB were under their authority.

“They [government] were resorting to such shameless politics to draw the attention of people from actual issues of the country to such non- issues,” he said.

Nawaz league Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb also reacted to the situation and said that the PTI government was desperately trying to shift the focus away from their “deplorable” two-year performance with a new onslaught against the PML-N chief because “Imran Khan's political existence has no roots and cannot survive without using Nawaz Sharif's name”.

Slamming the statements regarding setting an example by bringing Nawaz back to Pakistan through legal action, she said the PTI government should start the process by arresting, investigating and prosecuting Punjab Health Minister Yasmeen Rashid, board of government doctors and Punjab government that had clearly stated that Nawaz's treatment was not possible in Pakistan and that he had to be moved abroad to save his life.

She maintained that the premier should set an example by bringing back the money launderers and public sugar money looters who “he had helped flee the country on a chartered plane”.

Marriyum pointed out that it was the joint Opposition that had included the money laundering clause in FATF-related legislation.

She warned the government to stop “politicising” matters related to national security such as FATF saying it would have devastating long-term consequences.

She once again challenged the premier to file a case in the court and name those who had demanded an NRO.