Shibli insists govt not behind sedition case

Minister says opposition’s rallies aim to bag relief for corrupt leaders

KARACHI:

Information Minister Shibli Faraz on Wednesday reiterated that the PTI-led government and Prime Minister Imran Khan were not involved in the registration of a sedition case against the top leaders of PML-N.

"We have nothing to do with this. Anyone in this country can go and file an FIR against someone. The government is not [involved] in this. It is focused on working for the people and their welfare," the minister said while speaking to the media in Karachi.

Shibli statement came a day after the ruling party disowned the man, who had filed the FIR against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and other PML-N leaders.

PM Imran has also categorically denied any knowledge about the registration of the FIR, saying that the government did not believe in “political revenge”.

Temperatures have risen on the political landscape since the opposition launched the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) last month. And a new buzz stirred on Monday after an FIR was registered with the Shahdara police station by one Badar Rasheed.

Those nominated in the FIR included Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider, besides senior PML-N leaders Maryam Nawaz, Ayaz Sadiq, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Pervaiz Rashid, Khawaja Asif, Rana Sanaullah and Iqbal Zafar Jhagra.

The FIR invokes laws regarding criminal conspiracy, waging or attempting to wage war against Pakistan, sedition, provocation with intent to cause riot, statements conducing to public mischief and other crimes.

Hours after the registration of the case, top aides of the prime minister, including one senior member of the cabinet, said that Imran was “displeased” with the move. Faraz had said on Tuesday that it could be the handiwork of “someone related” to the opposition.

The case was also discussed in the cabinet meeting. Some ministers, including Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, Shafqat Mehmood, Nadeem Afzal Chan and Ali Muhammad Khan demanded the withdrawal of the FIR, saying that the case had tarnished the image of the government.

According to sources, some ministers suggested that the matter of the filing of the case should be investigated and that the FIR be brought to its logical conclusion. It was decided that the police would be allowed to pursue the case and the government would not intervene in this regard.

At a post-cabinet meeting news conference, Shibli distanced PM Imran and the government from the registration of the FIR and told reporters that “someone related” to the opposition might have done it.

While speaking to the media in Karachi along with the PTI’s provincial leadership, Shibli said what was happening in the country at the present was for the 'personal interests' of some people.

He maintained that the only purpose of the rallies announced by the opposition was to divert attention away from the corruption of their leaders and to pressure the government into giving them relief.

The information minister said the premier had always stressed the need for contributing to the development of the entire country and not just to serve a specific area.

Shibli said that opposition parties were the ones responsible for ruining state institutions and the economy.

"While the government has managed to effectively deal with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the country’s economy has suffered. If an opposition party wants to start such a campaign during the current scenario, then it can't be for the benefit of the country."