By-poll win not a license to ‘launch assault’ on Islamabad, Marriyum tells Imran

Despite winning NA seats, PTI still lacks majority to dislodge Shehbaz-led govt, says information minister

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has hit back at former prime minister Imran Khan’s warning to the government for early elections, saying that “PTI’s victory in the by-elections does not give it a license to invade federal capital”.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Monday, the minister said the PTI chief had no right to threaten the coalition government with long march if snap polls were not announced.

Earlier today, Imran Khan had said the nation had rejected the 'imported government' and reiterated his call for early elections, saying the government is being given 'some more time' before he gives the final date for the party's long march.

"I am giving them (government) some more time for the sake of the country and I repeat that they still have time to announce elections," said the PTI chief.

"If they do not, I will begin my march as the preparations are almost complete," said Imran as he addressed the media in Islamabad a day after landslide victory in the by-polls on eight national and three provincial assembly seats.

Responding to his statement, Marriyum said PTI’s defeat in Karachi’s Malir and Multan by-elections were a “referendum” against Imran Khan.

“He [Imran] remains silent when a decision comes in his favour but insults Election Commission when he faces defeat in the elections,” she added.

Also read: Imran gives govt 'some more time', threatens march if elections not called

In a separate statement, Marriyum said the by-election’s results had shattered the narrative of a “foreign funded fitna” (Imran Khan) who bent upon maligning the state institutions by hurling accusations, abuse and threats.

She questioned the rationale behind the narrative pursued by Imran Khan ‘against state institutions’ after his win on six seats of the National Assembly in Sunday’s by polls.

“Will the ‘absolutely fraud’ demand resignation of the chief election commissioner in his press conference today. Will the ‘foreign agent’ make a speech against the ‘neutrals’ today,” she said while posing a series of questions to Imran Khan.

She ridiculed Imran for celebrating the PTI’s further loss of two seats in the parliament, saying PTI still lacked the magic number of 172 — which is required to oust an incumbent government.

She said Imran could not dictate the government and parliament after losing two of his own seats in the by polls.

He could not change the government by attacking the federal capital and creating anarchy in the country.

“PTI has become a one-man party which has no candidate other than Imran Khan,” she added.

‘Army chief appointment’

The minister said PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif appointed six army chiefs in the past when he was the prime minister while “Imran is begging to appoint one army chief”.

As per law and the Constitution, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will appoint the next army chief, she added.

“If Imran Khan is so eager to appoint new army chief then he should complete 172 seats in the parliament and form his government in a constitutional manner. After the by-election, Shahbaz Sharif has support of 176 seats in National Assembly,” she remarked.

Marriyum also accused the PTI chief and his party of attempting to cause a mutiny in the military and running a smear campaign against the state institutions.

(With input from APP)