PM Imran never spoke of imposing emergency: Rashid

ISLAMABAD:

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Monday said Prime Minister Imran Khan has never talked about imposing an emergency or the presidential system during cabinet meetings.

He also expressed ignorance about a potential reshuffle in the federal cabinet, saying no one approached him regarding a change in his portfolio.

The minister was responding to a question during a weekly press conference in Islamabad.

Last week, a report in this paper claimed that the prime minister was likely to change portfolios of his ministers owing to their poor performances. It was also reported that Sheikh Rashid would likely be appointed as the information minister.

However, Rashid said he has not been approached as of yet and if someone does approach him then he will give his own suggestions on the matter.

Read: Rashid advises Opp to stop damaging democratic system

Speaking about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package, Rashid said Pakistan was not fond of going to the IMF. “We have sought a bailout from the IMF 23 times to revive our economy,” he added.

Referring to the passage of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Amendment Bill, the minister said in over three years, not a single government resolution was defeated in the Senate despite the opposition’s majority.

“The opposition has failed miserably,” he said, adding that their potential no-trust move against the premier will not succeed either.

Speaking about the long march, Rashid said the opposition can march on Islamabad all they want but they will face defeat.

“All other parties know how tense things are but it’s only [JUI-F and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief] Maulana Fazlur Rehman who wants to march at all costs,” he claimed.

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Speaking about terror incidents, he said terrorism has increased across Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan. The military along with the people of Pakistan will end this wave of terrorism as well, he added.

The minister also said the government will mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5 with countrywide rallies.

About the US-China rivalry, he said Pakistan wants ties with both countries. “China is Pakistan’s all-weather friend while the US is a global power,” he added.

China doesn’t have an issue with Pakistan going to the IMF, Rashid said, adding that Beijing understood Pakistan’s economic conditions.