ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (APP): Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique Wednesday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) lockdown plan has failed to derail democracy and if Imran Khan continued in the same manner his politics would come to an end.
Addressing a press conference along with State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb and State Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, he said people had no more trust in Imran Khan because of turning back on his statements.
Criticising Imran’s failed political show by terming it a ‘circus’, the minister said Imran Khan did not utter a single word in his speech on the national issues including Kashmir, China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other important issues relating to national security.
He said that Imran Khan and his party men’s main target was the Prime Minister.
Saad Rafique said many people including a dictator and political rivals of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif tried to remove him from
political scenario of the country but failed miserably.
The minister said accountability of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz leadership was carried out several times in the past and he came out vindicated.
He said Imran Khan had failed to bring the number of people as claimed by him.
Saad Rafique said why Imran Khan staged a drama in the Capital if he was only interested in holding a public gathering.
He lamented that Chief Minister KPK Pervez Khattak in his address used foul language.
He said that it was goodwill gesture of Prime Minister to allow PTI to form government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) for healthy political competition.
He alleged that the CM KPK was misusing his authority and tried to create divisions between Pakhtuns and Punjabis.
The minister said a convoy of Pervez Khattak was stopped by a small contingent of Punjab police and FC, adding that all precautionary measures were taken to ensure safety of protesters.
He said PTI was conspiring against democracy, but this was foiled due to effective strategy of the government.
He said Imran Khan committed contempt of court by discussing Panama Papers as it was subjudice.
“Judiciary is independent and we will not allow anybody to influence the case,” he said.
Khawaja Saad Rafique said Provincial Accountability Commission in the KPK had become dysfunctional within three years, due to political interference and PTI failed to eradicate corruption in the province.
He said that Nawaz Sharif himself led from the front in the long march held for restoration of sacked judges while Imran Khan did not dare to step out from his residence after giving lockdown call of the capital.
He said that sit-in politics aimed at halting economic prosperity and development in the country.
Saad said politics of Imran has created hatred and threat to democracy.
He advised Imran Khan to shun politics of agitation and concentrate on KPK.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Ms Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the people of Pakistan had rejected Imran Khan’s politics of confrontation.
She said that PTI chairman Imran Khan in his speech at the parade ground did not say anything substantial except abusing opponents.
She said despite threats of locking the capital, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had given instructions that maximum restraint should be shown while handling the protestors.
She said that she used to listen to speeches of Nawaz Sharif and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in the past, but Imran Khan had said good bye to ethics by use of abusive language against the opponents.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the PTI chief succeeded to gather only ten to twelve thousand people after six months efforts which was a proof of his waning popularity.
The minister said that the launch of China Pakistan Economic Corridor, economic turnaround and achievements in war on terror during past three years have baffled Imran Khan and he feared end of his political career.
She said that Nawaz Sharif has a clean track record and he has been striving for a prosperous and developed Pakistan while Imran Khan through his agitation wanted to keep Pakistan backward.
She urged Imran to go to KPK and try to deliver there during the remaining one a half years term of the provincial government.
At the start she thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for reposing confidence in her by appointing her as the minister of state for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage (IB&NH).
She asked the media persons to help her in fulfillment of her duties as the minister for IB&NH. She said that the present government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif believed in freedom of expression and it had the credit of the passage of the bill on safety and security of media from the Parliament.
She urged the media houses and journalists to highlight the positive image of Pakistan and play role in nation building process.
State Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division Dr Tariq Fazal Chauhdary appreciated Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan on chalking out successful strategy for foiling PTI’s lockdown plan.
He said it was the constitutional obligation of the government to protect life and property of the citizens.
Replying to a question, Saad Rafique said all arrested workers of PTI were released.
