'PML-N may be banned over its anti-state activities'

Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid has said that Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) may be banned over its ‘anti-state’ activities and speeches by its leadership.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, he said that the largest opposition party tried its best for a deal and several meetings were held for the purpose. One of such meetings was held in the Renaissance Istanbul Hotel in Turkey.

He predicted that the PML-N would be divided into different factions after Dec 31, adding that there was no threat to the government from the public gatherings and rallies of the opposition alliance, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

PDM began its countrywide protest campaign against the incumbent government by holding a maiden power show in Gujranwala last night, which the opposition termed a “decisive referendum against the incompetent” rulers.

Addressing the rally from London, deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, continuing with his aggressive rhetoric, fired a broadside not only against the prime minister but also against the security establishment for stealing public mandate.

Sheikh Rashid, while criticising the former prime minister's speech, said that governments could not be toppled by organising rallies. He claimed the speech had in fact strengthened Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government.

He said Nawaz spoke the language of enemies by criticising the Pakistan Army, adding that now it was the “death of Nawaz’s politics in the country”.

The PML-N itself voted for the extension of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and now its leadership was speaking against him and the Pakistan Army, said the federal minister. He maintained that the army was the protector of the country and soldiers were sacrificing their lives for the security of the country.

Commenting on yesterday’s power show, Rashid said that PDM kept the media engaged for one month and could not gather as many people as they were expecting.

To a question, he said that prices of flour and sugar would decrease in two months.

About the railways, the minister said that all freight trains would now be booked online like all passenger trains. He said that technical allowance of the railways workers was being increased by up to 25 per cent which would facilitate 31,000 workers.

He said that the mileage allowance of the drivers had also been increased.

He announced that pension would be disbursed among all retired employees on the inaugural day of Hassan Abdal railway station.