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FAISALABAD, Nov 19 (APP):State Minister Interior and Anti-Narcotics Senator Talal Chaudhry categorically said on Wednesday that sisters of the PTI founder were not disrespected outside the jail and such claims were a fabricated political narrative designed for point scoring.
Addressing a press conference in Jaranwala alongside Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith scholars, he said that the government holds the PTI founder’s sisters in high regard and ensured their full security and dignity during the incident.
He said that despite political differences, the PTI founder’s sisters remain respectable and female security officials repeatedly attempted for several hours to guide them off the main road where their protest was causing public inconvenience.
He said that the women security personnel formed a protective cordon and shifted them respectfully to a safe area. The allegations of mistreatment are baseless, he added. Talal Chaudhry criticised what he described as a recurring tactic of leveling accusations such as harassment or egg-throwing for political mileage.
He said that PTI founder enjoys unprecedented facilities in the jail including extensive visitation rights, meetings with political leaders, lawyers, doctors and family as well as a large exercise area and full kitchen amenities including Desi chicken.
Speaking on judicial resignations, Talal Chaudhry said that the resignations have helped cleanse the judiciary of political influence. He said that after 19th Amendment, several appointments were made on the basis of personal liking and long-term planning rather than merit. The judges must function strictly in accordance with the constitution and avoid decisions influenced by alliances, personal ego or household pressure; he said and added that more resignations would however strengthen the justice system.
He highlighted the crucial role of religious scholars in maintaining national stability and said that Pakistan was created in the name of Islam and Ulema are vital in countering sectarianism, terrorism and destabilising forces. He also appreciated Ulema cooperation with the government.
Discussing the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments, he said that the reforms represent long-overdue implementation of the Charter of Democracy signed in 2004. These amendments are originally intended to be included in the 18th Amendment but could not be incorporated at the time, he added.
He said that new amendments have restored parliament’s rightful authority, which had been reduced to the level of a “municipal corporation” under 19th Amendment. Only a fully empowered parliament can ensure national progress, he added.
He said that constitutional amendments are parliament’s exclusive mandate and those satisfied with the 17th and 18th Amendments should equally acknowledge the legitimacy of the 26th and 27th Amendments. He pointed out that the PTI did not oppose the amendments and its proposed changes to the 26th Amendment were included with consensus.
He said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman voted for 26th Amendment after consulting the PTI while the 27th Amendment also passed without obstruction. He said that political stability is core priority of the government as economic stability and national survival depend directly on it.
The government would continue taking responsible steps for national improvement through governance reforms, financial balancing and broad political consultation to move the country forward with consensus, he added.