Snap elections a possibility, minister tells defectors

Rashid claims some opposition lawmakers will side with government

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Thursday alluded to possible defections within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), warning that "switching parties will not do them any good" as "turncoats should also keep this in mind that snap election can also be called".

The minister said this while addressing a press conference after meeting Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar in Lahore as pressure to replace the chief executive of the province builds up on the embattled prime minister ahead of the no-trust vote in the assembly.

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He categorically told the media that nobody was going anywhere, especially Buzdar.

Rashid claimed that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was facing internal differences. “Their ‘respect for vote’ slogan has been buried,” he said, adding that these “foolish people have turned Imran into a hero”.

He said that he was an “informed person” and would start “revealing news” from today onwards. He added that Prime Minister Imran Khan was fighting the battle for honour.

The minister said that the "establishment was siding with Pakistan".

Read ‘Umpire’ stands with no one but Pakistan, says Rashid

“Propaganda against the great Pakistan Army will not be tolerated,” he said. “I will crush whoever tried to run a campaign against the army and the judiciary.”

In a comment regarding the allies, Rashid said that they usually take some time to make their decision and hoped that allies would stand with the government. He also told the ones in opposition’s camp to stand by their decision.

“We have good ties with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P),” he said, adding that if the opposition had their lawmakers then “we have their people who will not go to parliament to vote against PM Imran”.

He also said that the prime minister will address a massive rally at Parade Ground, Islamabad on March 27. He added that the interior ministry has given permission to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) for a rally in the federal capital whereas the PML-N has not approached the government as of yet.

Regarding parliamentary proceedings, the minister said that the National Assembly (NA) decides on the date for voting on the no-confidence motion.

Rashid meets Buzdar

Earlier, the interior minister held a meeting with the chief minister, wherein they discussed the political situation in the wake of the no-trust move. They criticised the opposition leaders for trying to “create anarchy” in Pakistan. They said the opposition will wake up to a “big surprise” on the day of the no-trust vote.

“Buzdar is the frontline soldier of Imran Khan,” Rashid said, adding that the opposition had fallen into its own trap. “With the grace of God, the law and order situation in Pakistan is normal,” he said, adding that no one will be allowed to take the law into their hands.

CM Buzdar, on the other hand, said that he stood steadfast with the prime minister. “I will live and die with the people,” he claimed. Buzdar said the government took the necessary steps to ensure the security of the citizens.

Read more MQM-P ‘agrees’ to back JUI-F on no-trust motion

The chief minister said that members of Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are standing behind Imran Khan as rock. “My life and death are for people of Pakistan,” he maintained. He also congratulated Prime Minister Imran for holding a successful Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Islamabad.

Buzdar said the government has made arrangements for peace and security of the masses and it will make sure to implement law.

وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب @UsmanAKBuzdar بزدار سے وفاقی وزیر داخلہ @ShkhRasheed ملاقات, سیاسی امور،امن عامہ کی صورتحال اورتحریک عدم اعتمادکے حوالے سے تبادلہ خیال#APPNews pic.twitter.com/Doafl6ZPFF

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