Asif says IMF ‘meddling in internal affairs’

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday termed the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recent statement “meddling in the country’s internal affairs”, urging the global lender to take stock of the situation elsewhere in the world, also.
In an interview with a private TV channel, the minister resented the comments by IMF Mission Chief Nathan Porter, who said earlier this week that the IMF hoped that a peaceful way forward was found in line with the Constitution and the rule of law.

“Obviously, he [Nathan Porter] was talking about Pakistan’s recent political developments,” Asif said, referring to the violent riots in the country following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on May 9.
Asked if he saw Porter’s statement as meddling in the country’s internal matters, Asif replied in affirmative.

“Yes, it is meddling in our internal affairs,” he said, adding that a “very serious law and order situation” was created on May 9.

“I think these institutions should also take stock of the situation elsewhere in the globe. Like what is happening in Gaza? What is happening in the West Bank? What is happening in Srinagar or the Kashmir valley?” he added.

The minister defended the measure taken by the government in the aftermath of May 9 riots, stressing that a mutiny took place on that day and that the state was threatened. “The government measures are in line with the crisis that was perpetrated on the May 9.”

Asif slammed Imran for making constant mistakes, while in the Prime Minister Office and later as the leader of an opposition party for the past 13 months. “When your enemy is making a mistake, you don’t interrupt,” he added.