He was speaking to journalists at the Allama Iqbal International Airport. He said the demand for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation was unconstitutional as the party had the public’s mandate. Rashid said PML-N leaders had never instructed its activists to use unbecoming language for political opponents. On the other hand, he said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan was provoking the public by using foul language.
Rashid said he had encouraged his supporters to attack the parliament and a Pakistan Television building. He said the government had acted with restraint and had not prevented the sit-ins at Islamabad’s D-Chowk as political expression was a democratic right. Rashid said the PML-N had always directed its activists to avoid being discourteous to workers of other parties.
He said the PML-N had won hearts by love and not through mob politics. Rashid said talks with the PTI were being held in an amicable atmosphere till Khan unilaterally vetoed the process. He said this was done at the behest of Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed.
Rashid said Khan was misleading the public. He said he lacked popular support. Rashid said the government had always believed in resolving political crises through negotiation.
He advised Khan to avoid using violence to bring political change.
Rashid said the public had given its verdict in the last general elections by voting the PML-N into power.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2014.
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Please note that IK is not provoking the public rather the fact is-mobilizing the specific class of people in Pakistan was a challenge! a class that has for years isolated themselves with the entire election process and remained indifferent; this is the class that cannot be forced to participate in the election process on the basis of any personal/financial temptations - this class is rational well exposed and has intellect; they are educated, courageous and not emotional; the political parties thought that this segment would continue to isolate themselves with the election process that ultimately was to their benefit whereas their main targets remained the oppressed/ rural segment of the society; whom they would lure for little financial / personal gains and in return play with the fate of the nation for years through their votes.....but little did they know that the actual decision makers, who constitutes the back bone of this nation; who have the brains and vision; ability to differentiate between right & wrong- who have been sleeping for years and completely disassociated themselves with the entire election process would ever wake up.....old dirty political tactics to gain the interests can no more be effective on this educated and well awared segment -the fact is this segment of the society that our nation required for years for its prosperity & success has been mobilised/geared up to lead -this fact certainly does poses a huge challenge for the rest of the political parties!