No reconciliation with opposition: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday ruled out reconciliation with the opposition parties amid the latter launching an anti-government movement under the banner of their newly formed alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

The premier maintained that since the first day he came to power, he knew that those had plundered the country’s wealth would join forces to escape accountability.

“They [opposition parties] can hold their rallies and sit-ins. No matter what, they will not get an NRO,” he said during a meeting with PTI senators Faisal Javed and Zeeshan Khanzada.

Later while presiding over a meeting of government spokespersons, the prime minister advised his team to focus on issues like inflation and economic recovery instead of wasting its energies on the opposition’s protests and rallies.

“The opposition parties will be exposed before the people soon,” he said. “The people are aware that these parties have joins hands for their vested interests.”

PM Imran said the government had made a sincere offer to the opposition parties to investigate into their allegations of rigging in the 2018 general elections.

However, he added, the opposition did not provide any evidence to back its claims.

The premier noted that efforts were under way to bring down food prices and ensure the availability of essential commodities including a crackdown against hoarders.

“The prices will come down in the coming days,” he added.

The prime minister also told the participants of the meeting that the government was taking steps for consumer protection.

“The opposition is responsible for the problems faced by the people as it has signed expensive contracts and piled up debt by taking loans,” he claimed.

The participants of the meeting were informed that PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz had spent Rs2.5 billion on the NA-120 by-elections in 2017 in violation of rules. The matter is being sent to the National Accountability Bureau. The prime minister said the Sharif family had spent Punjab’s public funds for its personal gains.

Separately, Adviser to the PM on Accountability and Interior Mirza Shahzad Akbar while addressing a news conference in Lahore said Maryam had rigged the NA-120 by-elections in 2017 by distributing Rs2.5 billion under the umbrella of development schemes in violating the Election Commission of Pakistan’s rules and regulations.

“Maryam Nawaz along with Fawad Hassan Fawad used the Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency to disburse funds for influencing the polls,” he alleged.

“Cash payments were made to the third party for completing development schemes and later the ground work including tendering and other formalities were completed.”

At a recent meeting, the government had decided to allow opposition parties to stage protest rallies anywhere in the country as long as they do not create chaos.

The PDM is scheduled to hold its first public rally in Gujranwala on October 16, followed by Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Multan, and Lahore on October 18 and 25, November 22 and 30 and on December 13.