PDM, PPP will bag only ‘humiliation’: Rashid

Minister says alliance can have its way by marching on May 23; vows govt will create no hurdles for it

RAWALPINDI:

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Wednesday said the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) – an alliance of opposition parties – could proceed with its long march to Islamabad on March 23 as well as the PPP staging its protest in the federal capital on February 27 but warned them that they would achieve nothing but just "political humiliation" for themselves.

Addressing the ground-breaking ceremony of a swimming pool project at the Rawalpindi Sports Complex, the minister said March 23 was a very "sensitive" day and roads as well as cellular services would be closed because of the arrival of foreign dignitaries for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting.

Rashid had earlier urged the PDM to change the date of its anti-inflation long march pointing out that an OIC meeting was scheduled on March 23.

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On Tuesday, JUI-F chief, the head of the PDM, had stood firm that they would carry on with their initiative on the same date.

“If you want to irk the OIC dignitaries for your personal politics, then please don’t change the date.  Come on [March] 23 and by the Almighty you will face a political defeat and be humiliated," he added, vowing that the government would create no hurdles for the opposition parties as long as they did not create a law and order situation.

The minister also maintained that the opposition had been unable to defeat the government on any motion or bill during its three and a half years in power.

Speaking on other matters, Rashid said Prime Minister Imran Khan was leaving for China on February 3 and his visit would be significant one.

The minister also claimed that issue of the presidential system or an emergency being imposed had not been brought up in the cabinet.

“The government and the [security] establishment are on the same page,” Rashid claimed, adding that PM Imran’s statement about him becoming more dangerous if ousted from power was meant for the opposition.

The minister said the Express project was being started in Rawalpindi at a cost of Rs120 billion.

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“The Maternal and Child Hospital will also be operational this year and Rawalpindi Ring Road is also being constructed,” he added.

Rashid said he had spent two or three nights in Murree after the tragedy there and he had observed that tourism had increased in the country.

“Now the arrangements will have to be made accordingly.”

The minister conceded that despite having machines in Murree, it was the government’s fault that they could not be made operational.