ISLAMABAD, Aug 5 (APP): Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday said Imran Khan has introduced a new culture of image tarnishing in politics during his speeches to sit-in at D Chowk and public gatherings.
“How decent language he has been using at processions, everybody knows. But Imran Khan forgets that a full-fledged book can be written on his personal life. Therefore, politicians should respect each other’s standing and self-respect,” he said talking to a private news channel.
Dispelling the charges of corruption against the PML-N leadership, the minister said, there are governments of different political parties at provinces and there is general notion that the KPK government is the most corrupt. “Let the people decide in 2018 elections that who had delivered to masses and who was indulged in corruption.”
He said the provincial government even lacks decisive power
and this has happened repeatedly in oil and gas sector. The PTI government instead of materializing the projects sponsors daylight pilferage of gas.
Quoting an incident, he said, in an area the gas was being pilfered from a high pressure line which the SNGPL disconnected, but the DCO and DPO restored that connection. “We repeatedly approached the Chief Minister even along with the Governor KPK but to no action.”
Shahid Khaqan said, due to rampant corruption, PTI will not be able to even win half of seats in the provincial assembly.
He said the PML-N government will fulfill its promises of masses welfare and national development. “Today, there is uninterrupted supply of gas to industry, CNG sector and domestic consumers contrary to previous summer. Situation is improving and we shall ensure supply in winter as well.”
About reference against Imran Khan, the minister said it is
right of the PML-N members. “If other parties can file references against the PML-N leadership, then they also have a right to file reference against Imran Khan.”
He said let the Election Commission decide on references from both the sides. “The government has no fears of references. It is performing its duties. Let opposition either wait for decisions by legal forums or the 2018 elections.”
He said PML-N is still a popular party and this has been manifested in the Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir elections where PML-N secured two thirds majority.
He said everybody knows that the government in AJK was the most corrupt and inefficient, therefore masses reposed confidence in PML-N. “Election in AJK was fair and transparent and majority of political parties have accepted the results.”
Answering another question, he said, only one point is yet to be addressed in Panama papers ToR that accountability should not be one person specific but it should be for all.
Shahid Khaqan said, the Election Commission members have been selected with consensus. Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah had discussed these names with other opposition parties. So, now the opposition should wait the decision of newly constituted Commission.
Commenting on change of Sindh Chief Minister, he welcomed the step and said, the federal government will continue cooperation with the new government as he mentioned to payment of 12% additional GDS to Sindh than the expected.
About planned agitation by the opposition, he said, the government will deal with them politically by exercising its legal and constitutional right.
