PM Imran to put an end to inflation by fifth year, says Rashid

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Imran Khan's agenda is to end inflation, hoping that he would end it by the fifth year.

Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, the interior minister said that every political party wanted the establishment’s backing but the good thing is that the establishment supports this elected government.

“Imran Khan will complete five years. Nothing is going to happen. This is the year of local body elections whereas the fifth year will be of national elections. It normally takes a year to address old grievances. Our allies might be angry but at least they are not with the opposition,” Rashid said.

Referring to the rumours of former premier Nawaz Sharif's return, the interior minister said that some say he is returning and some say he was not. "It doesn't matter if he returns or not," the minister said as he downplayed talks of the former premier's return.

Rashid further urged the opposition parties to reconsider their long march date and shift it to March 30 instead of March 23 (Pakistan Day).

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

“Guests are coming on March 23 and for the first time JS-10 fighter jet would join the flying parade (in an answer to India’s) Raphael,” he said.

The minister added that the occupation mafia was strong in Pakistan and we did not allow it to get stronger

On December 26, Rashid while taking a dig at the PML-N supremo 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.