Iqbal accuses judiciary of ‘discrimination’

Planning minister rules out possibility of technocrat govt

LAHORE:

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has accused the judiciary of “discrimination”, saying: “We are disqualified but Imran Khan has judicial immunity.”

Addressing a news conference at Model Town, Iqbal said: “This year the failed, inexperienced and incompetent [former] prime minister Imran Khan was removed through the no-confidence motion because he raised inflation and took away jobs from the youth.”

He alleged that Imran was given an NRO by former chief justice Saqib Nisar.

Iqbal urged the PTI leaders to consider with an open mind whether their idol Imran’s personality was bigger than Pakistan. “If someone considers Imran Khan to be bigger than Pakistan, they should know that their idol figure will be shattered.

“When the Supreme Court restored Punjab local bodies, who trampled the decision under his feet and played football?” asked Iqbal.

Iqbal questioned that when Imran and former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar mocked the Supreme Court bench, did the Supreme Court ask “why they are not following the decision”.

He said that nothing was hidden from the public eye, “we are disqualified, but Imran Khan has judicial immunity”.

“Imran has immunity even when he violates the verdict of a female justice of the Supreme Court,” Iqbal said.

Ruling out the possibility of technocrat administration, Iqbal said: “Technocrats have no place in the constitution.”

He said the pressure on the dollar was because some large payments had been made and “we are taking notice of the dollars going to Afghanistan”.

“No doubt, it is a very crucial time for the nation, but we will succeed in bringing the country out of the crisis,” he added.

Iqbal said the economy and peace should not be politicised, expressing hope that Imran would stop enmity with the country by suspending his anti-state campaign.