US aware of PML-N divide: Rashid

Minister says US diplomat held separate meetings with Maryam, Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD:

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid has alleged that the United States was also aware of the two factions – ‘N’ and ‘S’ – of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, saying that because of such a reason the US envoy had separate meetings with both the leaders.

Rashid, who is known for his prophecies in political affairs, was referring to the recent meetings of US Charge d’ Affaires to Pakistan Angela Aggeler with PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz.

The US envoy had separately called on the two leaders and discussed national and regional development – including the Afghanistan situation. Such meetings had apparently shown discord in one of the major opposition parties of the country.

“The US charge d’ affaires also knows that ‘N’ and ‘S’ are separate. That’s why the envoy had separate meetings with them [Shehbaz and Maryam],” Rashid told reporters on Wednesday after an event at the Girls’ College in Rawalpindi.

“There will be a new alignment of the PML-N before the general elections,” he said, “The PML-N will be in three groups before the elections.”

The interior minister claimed that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) would continue their protest demonstrations till the general elections. He was of the view that there would be “new political alignment” in polls.

“I am happy that the PDM has selected my city for protest. If they will not take the law into their hands, there will be no problem,” Rashid said, adding that Rawalpindi citizens were educated and understood the reasons behind the recent price hike.

The minister reiterated that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government would complete its constitutional term.

He added that all-out efforts were being made to provide relief to the citizens as Prime Minister Imran Khan presided over the weekly meeting to review prices of essential commodities and “solid steps” were being taken to control price hike.

It was an international phenomenon but, the government was trying to bring down the prices particularly of food items, he said.

To a query, he said that Pakistan Navy had detected Indian submarine in the country’s maritime boundary for the third time and it had also alerted the air force and the army.

On the federal capital matters, Rashid said the Islamabad Police Department would have a dedicated air patrolling unit, which would be inaugurated today (Thursday).

Earlier, the minister inaugurated a newly constructed multipurpose hall in the Government Associate College for Women, Murree Road.

The target of 60 educational institutions was achieved as seven colleges had been completed and a third women university was also inaugurated, he said, adding that they were trying to establish an Information Technology University in the city.

“Rawalpindi is at the top position in female education across the country,” he said. “We have provided education facilities at the doorsteps of the female students.”

After completion of the educational institutions’ task, he added the government would focus on the health sector.

“When the actual educational institutions’ plan was conceived for the promotion of education in Rawalpindi city then I selected Dhokes like Dhoke Hassu, Dhoke Khabba, Dhoke Ratta, Dhoke Naju, Dhoke Elahi Bukish for the establishment of schools and colleges as the citizens of labour class live in these Dhokes and could not afford private educational expenses,” he said. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)