Rashid wants snap elections after Haj

Federal minister says voting on no-trust move to be held on April 3

ISLAMABAD:

Amid persisting political chaos and political traffic jam in the federal capital, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid has once again dropped the idea of holding "fair and transparent" elections, hinting that the snap elections should be ideally held immediately after Haj 2022.

Addressing a press conference, the minister intimated three of his wishes — National Assembly members to vote in favour of the premier, the construction of Nala Lai, and elections before Haj.

“I am pro early elections,” Rashid said.

“The prime minister should present a good budget because oil and wheat prices are high across the globe, there’s IMF, FATF and so many other problems … Imran Khan should give a good budget and hold elections immediately after Haj.”

He said he has also advised Prime Minister Imran Khan to present a good federal budget for the fiscal year 2022-23.

Read FC, Rangers to be deployed around NA, lodges from March 20, says Rashid

The federal minister said that PM Imran Khan would play till the last ball and negotiations were underway with allies.

Talking about the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister, Rashid revealed that voting on the resolution in the National Assembly (NA) would take place on April 3. The debate on the resolution is set to begin on March 31.

He hoped the opposition wouldn’t be able to complete 172 members on the day of voting. “Winning and losing is a part of politics but one thing which has been proven is that the public is with Imran Khan. Some people lose despite winning in politics,” he added

‘Terrorist attack foiled’

Meanwhile, Rashid revealed that the Islamabad police had foiled an attack in Islamabad and arrested four “terrorists”. They have been identified as Muhammad Ismail, Muhammad Ismail, Zafran, and Muhammad Shehzad. One of the suspects, Raees, managed to flee, he said.

“These terrorists had impure intentions but Allah helped us,” he said, adding that he was optimistic everything on April 3, too, would go smoothly.