Rashid offers to pay for Nawaz’s ticket ‘if he returns’

Minister downplays Ayaz’s claim that ‘political arena will soon witness a major event’

KARACHI:

Taking a dig at PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Sunday offered to pay for his air ticket and also issue him a visa if the former prime minister was willing to return to Pakistan while the leadership of the party claimed that its leader’s possible return to the country had sent “alarm bells ringing” for the government.

Addressing a news conference in Karachi, Rashid said Nawaz, who had been living in London since 2019, went abroad on the pretext of medical treatment but “had not consulted any doctor since he is healthy”.

His statement came after PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq's prediction that the country’s political arena would soon witness a “major event” -- which has sent many in a tizzy, fuelling speculations as to what was implied in the politician’s cryptic statement.

The prediction followed right after Ayaz’s speech at an event, wherein he had made the announcement that Nawaz was returning to Pakistan soon.

“If Nawaz Sharif is returning, I offer him a ticket out of my own pocket,” the interior minister told the media.

He reiterated that Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government would complete its tenure, saying that Nawaz’s speeches against institutions would not make any difference.

Rashid also hit out at PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and PPP leader Asif Zardari, saying that “they are the most corrupt people of this country”.

Also read: PML-N sees Nawaz’s prompt return

To Shehbaz’s threats, he said they would not affect the government in any way.

“You should look at your own conduct. No one else has been as corrupt as you, so you cannot hold us accountable for anything."

To a query about MQM founder Altaf Hussain, he said that he had known him since the latter’s days as a student.

"We cannot talk to him [Altaf] anymore because he has too many murder cases against him," the Rashid added.

“However, we have a good relationship with the MQM-P and will continue to do so."

Speaking about other issues, the minister claimed that the PTI’s vote bank had not reduced in the recently-held local government elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, wherein the ruling party had faced a major setback by losing several seats.

The minister said that he was on a seven-day visit to Sindh and would listen to the problems of the people.

He added that he had decided to spend a day in every organisation to resolve their issues.
Replying to a question on the rising inflation, he said that the seeds were sowed by the previous governments.

(With input from APP)