Govt is not trapping Mansoor Ijaz: Malik
The nation demands explanation for all the claims made by Ijaz, says the interior minister.
ISLAMABAD:
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Monday refused to accept the claims made by Mansoor Ijaz’s lawyer Akram Sheikh that his client was being trapped by the government.
Speaking to media in Islamabad, Malik said that Ijaz himself made statements against the army, the Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) and about toppling Benazir Bhutto’s government. “We, as a stakeholder, have the right to form a commission and investigate these issues,” Malik said.
“The nation demands explanation for all these claims,” Malik added.
Malik also said that Ijaz had refused to come to Pakistan because he was scared.
"If Ijaz was an honest and brave man, he would have come to testify," he said.
Responding to Ijaz’s statements that he was at war with him, Malik said that he had been fighting against terrorists and other enemies of Pakistan for the last four years and if he wants to join those ranks, “he is most welcome.”
“But I will not allow anyone to insult my country and my people,” Malik asserted.
Calling Ijaz’s revelations a publicity stunt, the interior minister said that Pakistani media had helped him become popular.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Monday refused to accept the claims made by Mansoor Ijaz’s lawyer Akram Sheikh that his client was being trapped by the government.
Speaking to media in Islamabad, Malik said that Ijaz himself made statements against the army, the Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) and about toppling Benazir Bhutto’s government. “We, as a stakeholder, have the right to form a commission and investigate these issues,” Malik said.
“The nation demands explanation for all these claims,” Malik added.
Malik also said that Ijaz had refused to come to Pakistan because he was scared.
"If Ijaz was an honest and brave man, he would have come to testify," he said.
Responding to Ijaz’s statements that he was at war with him, Malik said that he had been fighting against terrorists and other enemies of Pakistan for the last four years and if he wants to join those ranks, “he is most welcome.”
“But I will not allow anyone to insult my country and my people,” Malik asserted.
Calling Ijaz’s revelations a publicity stunt, the interior minister said that Pakistani media had helped him become popular.