Rana Mashhood asks opposition parties to stop 'playing politics over the dead'
Speaking to the media in Lahore, Mashhood said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has not tried to cover anything up and an investigation into the tragedy - which claimed 14 lives and injured around 80 others - is underway.
The law minister stated that these parties should "stop playing politics over the dead," adding that Pakistan cannot afford to keep suffering from bumps like this "on its journey to success and prosperity".
He added that the country was losing out on investments because of such incidents. Turkey Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's wife, who would have inaugurated projects and brought investments into the country, had cancelled her trip to Pakistan, he said.
Speaking about the May 2013 general elections, Mashhood said that Pakistan's citizens had used their votes to bring the current government to power and it should be respected.
Referring to opposition parties' claims that the elections were rigged, Mashhood said "they are putting a question mark on the whole system in order to fulfill a small purpose."
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan has on many occasions claimed that the elections were massively rigged, alleging that returning officers had played their part in manipulating results.
Mashhood, in response to this accusation, said returning officers were session judges who have been part of the system for a very long time and that their credibility was not questionable.
"They work independently," he said, adding that they are not anyone's employees.
“The country isn’t buying what you are saying a year after the elections," Mashhood said, referring to Imran's allegations.
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Is there any sensible man in PMLN ,may talk on current affairs
Its really a matter of great concern that PML-N has a very very mediocre team running the affairs of Country and the party itself. Nawaz Sharif wants sycophants around who can professionally be anything. His dislike for Army is another factor as he launches a campaign to malign the Armed forces not realizing that its a disservice to the nation but also suicidal for him
Mashood should first consider investigative findings of NA 118 before indulging in self denail. And that was just one rigging confirmation.The nation wants to know how PMLN secured twice as more vote in this election than it did when it came to power a decade or so ago. What did PMLN do between then and now to gain such a huge turn over of votes.The only answer could be that this time with the help of Punjab government were able to plan the rigging immaculately, train and place their stooges at key points more effectively. Luckily their planted stooges were able to deliver more than what was expected of them
@crocodile tears: "...organization known for their violence..." which organization? Are you talking about the one which takes an anti-feudal stance but coalesces with a feudal party?
@Arzoo: A commentator with sympathy for an organization known for their violence, is shedding crocodile tears for unfortunate victims of Model Town tragedy.
@Arzoo "And, Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayip Erdogan, whose wife has cancelled the trip to inaugurate some investment scheme, is not doing a whole lot better himself either. Mired in corruption charges upto his eyeballs his re-election is only possible if he learns the tricks of the trade from Mian Nawaz Sharif." So you have swallowed the whole propaganda against Erdogan. It is a trap by those who do not like Erdogan, like yourself.
The missing point is how did those present around reacted when the barriers were removed? Did they take law into their hands? Did they get violent? Did they throw stones at police or in anyway attack the police? If any of the foregoing occurred, how did the police respond? Did the police respond lawfully? Did it overreact in effecting the writ of the State? Without answers to these questions, no assessment of justice is possible.
Simple....don't create dead bodies, and no one will be able to play politics over dead bodies. Looks like such simple concepts are hard to grasp for the poor subjects of King Sharif.
"Speaking about the May 2013 general elections, Mashhood said that Pakistan’s citizens had used their votes to bring the current government to power and it should be respected"
Unfortunately that is what you think, people of pakistan thinks you have hijacked their mandate.
Has PPP not played politics on the deaths of ZAB/BB?,and has PML(N)/NS not played politics on the dead bodies of Akbar Bugti/ 'terrorists' of Lal masjid and both are still doing so.In Lahore massacre all were completely innocent.Talk about them is only to get justice.
PTI is looking for issues. They have ignored kpk and running madly behind federal government. There is extreme corruption and bad governance in kpk.
Oppostion has a fear that if PML-N perfroms for complete 5 years, next elections will also be won by PML-n. Due to this fear, they have started conspiracies against the government just after one year.
Opposition parties have nothing to do except criticism. Criticism is the easiest thing to do in this world. PTI is completely failed in KPK but it is interfering in federal issues just to destabilize the country.
Maybe his party should stop politics by actually providing the dead bodies!
This is ridiculous.... a party kills 8 protesters and then accuses everyone else of "politicising a tragedy"....
Only in Pakistan...
From this statement it appears that Government [involved in shooting] is also intend to prohibit people to talk / condemn the action of government.
“Without a perfect legal system, a small group or even a single family can take control of an entire country.” If Pakistan citizens want to get rid of such groups or families there is a very easy and a peaceful way to get rid of them: Change the system! which is Tahir ul Qadri's agenda.
And, Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayip Erdogan, whose wife has cancelled the trip to inaugurate some investment scheme, is not doing a whole lot better himself either. Mired in corruption charges upto his eyeballs his re-election is only possible if he learns the tricks of the trade from Mian Nawaz Sharif.
I suppose shamelessness has reached new heights with PMLN running the government. Rana Sanaullah was replaced for some culpability in the massacre of 15 innocent women and children. To be replaced by another Rana more unrepentant for what they have done was not expected. But, it has happened folks.
Rana sahib ! This massacre will haunt PMLN until justice is served
@Usman Aziz:
Don't despair, we still have great human beings living amongst us, not just Non League vampires.
Have hope and support PTI's struggle to get rid of this giant, slimey squid wrapped around the face of our nation!
Well said Rana - completely agree with you! These losers who have no representation in the Parliament are playing dirty politics on 14 dead bodies. What a sad state of affairs it is. Instead of letting the ruling party work for the betterment of the country, these people are out with sharpened knives to destabilize the whole democratic system!!
How barbarian we have become.... 14 human beings are killed including Pregnant women and govt is not ready to feel ashamed but giving stupid excuses ....... revenge will be taken if not i here then at Doomsday for sure .....
He looks and sound like the PML N (Gullu Butt). He has got his seat by horse trading , now fighting hard to save his rigged ballot seat.