Week from March 23 to 30 would be an ‘important week’: Sheikh Rashid
ISLAMABAD, Mar 10 (SABAH): Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Thursday said National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser had the right to disqualify members who “crossed floor” in the lower house and that “no one could challenge that”.
Talking to the media persons in Islamabad, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the week from March 23 to 30 would be an “important week”. “Let them (opposition) fulfill their desire. Imran Khan is on his way towards winning. The speaker has the right to disqualify any PTI member who disrespects the votes they gained due to Imran Khan,” he said.
He said those PTI lawmakers who vote against Imran will face the wrath of the people as well as the political repercussions of their actions. He further said those PTI lawmakers who sold their vote for money will also face “political encirclement” by the PTI workers. On the day of voting, all followers of Imran will gather outside the National Assembly to celebrate his victory, he added.
Sheikh Rashid said all political parties had given this right to the speaker in the 18th Amendment in a bid to stop horse-trading and that this right could not be challenged by anyone. The interior minister went on to say those members who go against party line would be “politically surrounded”.
The interior minister said he had urged PTI supporters to be present at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on the day of the vote to celebrate a “day of thanksgiving” for the prime minister’s success.
Sheikh Rashid said the no-confidence move would prove to be a “moment of satisfaction” for the premier. “We will celebrate April Fool’s day for the opposition after their loss,” the interior minister added.
He lashed out at the opposition, saying that fear of the prime minister and accountability had united those who were against each other in the past.
Responding to claims from the opposition that the “umpire” — a reference to the establishment — was neutral, he asked opposition leaders to stick to this narrative in case the no-trust move fails.
Speaking on other matters, he pushed back against a question on the prime minister’s criticism of the European Union at a recent public gathering.
The interior minister said Pakistan was not part of any bloc — Russian, American or Chinese — and wanted good relations with all powers.
Speaking about the allies of the ruling party, the minister said he was sure that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) will stand with Imran Khan. Speaking about Pir Pagara, the head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), the minister said he has great relations with him. “I can only comment on these two people,” Rashid said, adding that he could not comment on the politics of Punjab.
Calling the PML-N, PPP and JUI-F “three rivals parties”, he said these parties joined hands against Imran for their “vested interests” and to evade “accountability”.
He said the rally by the PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was “disappointing”. He claimed the number of security personnel at the rally exceeded the number of participants.
In response to a question regarding PM Imran’s rants against the European Union, Rashid said former PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto – who founded the PPP – used to rail against the imperial powers during his political gatherings. Bhutto used to put “foreign policy before the nation”, he said, adding that if Imran “put a policy statement” before the nation then he has seen Bhutto doing the same.
About criticism by the opposition over the remarks by the premier, he said the opposition thinks that the “imperial thinking is their thinking, but it is “not the thinking of the Pakistani people”. He said Pakistan was not part of any block as it wanted to have ties with all superpowers. Sheikh Rashid said every Pakistani can feel proud as under the leadership of Imran Khan the country has an independent foreign policy.
In response to a question, he said the police raid on the Korean embassy was embarrassing and apologised for the incident.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Prime Minister Imran Khan will launch e-passport system this month to facilitate the people. He said more ID card and passport offices will be opened in Sindh province. He said the issuance of succession certificates will be started in Balochistan from 12th of this month.
The Interior Minister said international conspiracies are being hatched against Pakistan. He said directions have been issued to the Inspector Generals of Police and the Chief Secretaries to keep an eye on the situation and take steps for eradication of terrorism.