LAHORE:
Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid took a swipe at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf over its August 14 long march, predicting that it would last barely a day and its party leader Imran Khan would fly to Britain the next day (August 15).
He said the government would not arrest the PTI chief. “Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) workers have faced many imprisonments and so we will not like to put Imran under house arrest,” he said in remarks to the media.
Rashid, however, clarified that the government would not allow anyone to create hurdles in the way of democracy. “No terrorists will be allowed to come and attack Pakistanis in the name of freedom of expression and democracy,” he added.
He accepted Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri’s debate challenge.
“After attempting a long march Qadri had come back to his original vocation of debating,” he said, adding that Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi would be enough to respond to Qadri’s debate call, which, he said, might be telecast live on Pakistan Television.
Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, meanwhile, appealed to Imran Khan to avoid turning the country’s independence day into a day of chaos and anarchy through his long march.
He said as head of the committee constituted by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to finalise arrangements for independence day celebrations, he would soon issue the schedule of events. He said the defence ministry would issue details of events, parades, speeches and venue of the celebrations.
Rafique said the PML-N did not want to comment on Asif Ali Zardari’s statement in which he had criticised the PM Nawaz for interfering in provincial matters.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 20th, 2014.
COMMENTS (27)
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I would say only this that sometimes Imran Khan shows political immaturity in his some actions and proves that Imran Khan never learnt anything from his educational career from well and world renowned Oxford University and gives statements based on hypotheses........
@nyc: Thanks. Really appreciate.
@Ebad: Thank you very much. It is really nice to see that people analyze and also judge the views expressed here.
@S Hashmi: Thank you sir for your view and I really appreciate that you liked it.
@Irfan Haider You nailed it buddy. And your comment alone exceeds in the number of likes than all the gullu butts combined. Thumbs up :D
@ Irfan Haider Your comment alone almost outnumbered all the preceding comments' recommendations put together :D
@Irfan Haider: You nailed it, thanks.
@Irfan Haider: Thank you! Your comment is the only one that makes perfect sense. The others are mainly from the gullu butts of N league.
The comment given by Sadia regarding stock exchange index is very ridiculous. May be she is a new business graduate. Is stock exchange an indicator of economic growth in Pakistan? It is merely a playground for a certain group of people. What other economic growth parameters have you noticed? Have you seen any change in 'Real Terms' in other sectors. Is there any increase in GDP GRP minus the inflation effect. What is the change brought by the stock exchange index, in the lives of people of Pakistan excluding the ones holding the stock exchange? Are there any new business ventures? What growth do you see apart from building of Metro Bus project which should be postponed till the energy crisis has been resolved and all focus should have been given to energy resources. Are the government resources being used for people or just for the sake of their own. All the ministers are getting salaries for thrashing PTI and Imran Khan. Why are the ministers so afraid that there main focus is Imran Khan if he is so unpopular. This is a fact that the huge voter turnout in the elections specially in urban areas and big cities was due to PTI and Imran Khan.
After reading the above comments I felt that the comments are not at all convincing. Rather these comments are also posted by the media-gang hired by Mr. Saad Rafique who is currently under pressure to resign due to the massive rigging in his constituency. It is his worst nightmare.
PML-N took the government when there was nothing good in Pakistan. Economy was about to default at that time. Credit goes to PML-n that due to their tireless effort, economy has started giving positive signals. - Stock Exchange has shown tremendous improvement during last one year. - Foreign investment has also started coming in Pakistan. - Percentage of inflation has come to the single digit. - Many projects for power generation have been started which will give production after few years. - No mega scandal of corruption has come during last one year. - Much improvement is seen in the affairs of Railway, PIA and Steel Mill. - Dollar has come down and rupee has been strengthened. All it shows that government is performing well despite countless hurdles.
All efforts being made by IK are just to hide his failure in KPK. Why did PTI welcome all politicians who wanted to join PTI before May 2013 elections? Where was vision, ideology and merit of PTI? PTI only needed electables and all were welcomed. What is this? It means that Imran did not have confidence in himself and his team.
I am a PTI voter but I have some reservation. If PTI really wants democracy , they should let this government work for their full five years term, They should focus on KPK to make a model province.
IK would be back in UK just in time for the start of the 4th test between India and England.
Allah bless Pakistan. Allah bless Nawaz Sharif.
It is a fact that Imran Khan is playing a very bad role for Pakistan nowadays as directed to him by Establishment. His politics of agitation will leave bad impact on Pakistan’s economy. Inflow of foreign investment in Pakistan will also be affected.
No hope from Master of U Turn Imran. All hopes from respected Nawaz Sharif.
PTI is doing all drama due to one fear. They think that If PML-N rules for complete 5 years, then PTI will have no chance in the next elections.
Imran is always busy in protesting, blaming, abusing and accusing others. He will do the same on independence day.
Imran's politics of agitation of 14 August can leave bad image of Pakistan for international community. 14 August is a historic day. It should be celebrated with unity. Imran does not want to see Pakistan progressing.
Stock Exchange has crossed 30000 points first time in the history of Pakistan. It should be appreciated. But PTI is doing opposition for the sake of opposition. If there is something good, that must be appreciated as well. But PTI only criticizes. The investors have shown confidence and stock market improved due to good policies of government.
Country is in the state of war. Army and government are busy in Zarb-e-Azb operation against TTP while Imran Khan is doing politics. Shame for him.
IK, please don't spoil our independence day. Please let us celebrate it. There should be no politics on 14th August. All should unite.
Imran wants to steal the happiness of Youm-e-Azadi from Pakistanis. He wants that Youm-e-Azadi becomes Youm-e-Barbadi. Imran's every action is against Pakistan.