All of Fazl’s political allies would run away while he will be caught: Sheikh Rashid
ISLAMABAD, Mar 16 (SABAH): Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Wednesday warned Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman that he would have to “pay the price” if the joint Opposition’s movement to overthrow Prime Minister Imran Khan puts the country into an anarchic situation.
“The Opposition should fear lest this no-confidence motion pushes country towards destabilisation,” Sheikh Rashid said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
Taking a jibe at Maulana Fazl, Sheikh Rashid asked what kind of remarks was he passing about the “batons dipped in oil” being a religious scholar. “What would be its effects? Are you taking the country towards anarchy?” he asked. He said that all of Fazl’s political allies would run away while he will be caught.
“The history of all these people [Opposition leaders] is that they play together. It is the tradition of PPP and PML-N that they put one hand on the sky and their feet on the ground,” Sheikh Rashid said.
The minister said that Fazl also used to do play politics in the same way, but it’s the first time he has become furious and playing the role of “maula jatt’. “It’s a shame. You have huge respect as a religious leader but the language you are using is not highlighting the principles of Islam. “If it causes civil war and anarchy in the country, you’ll have to pay for it.”
Moreover, Sheikh Rashid said that all members of Parliament will be protected ahead of the voting on the no-confidence motion.
He said that he will ask the National Assembly speaker about which day among March 28, 29 and 30 he would finalise for the vote of no confidence, which is due to be held after March 27 as per the rules.
Sheikh Rashid told the journalists that all members of Parliament will be protected, saying that he is handing over the security of the federal capital to Rangers, police and FC, giving them special authorities from March 20 to April 2.
Speaking about the recent incident in the Parliament Lodges, the minister said that it can’t be that someone brings their private militia to Parliament Lodges, where 260-270 families are living.
Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies have the full capability to deal with any situation, Sheikh Rashid said. “We will not spare you if you take law into your own hands,” he warned.
Sheikh Rashid said that PM Imran Khan will be benefiting if he loses or wins in the vote of no confidence against him as his popularity among the masses has increased massively during the last three weeks.
He said that he would like to reiterate that PM Imran Khan will win with the will of the Almighty.
Taking a jibe at the joint Opposition, he said that three months ago when the government requested the PDM to delay their long march, they were adamant about marching towards Islamabad on March 23; however, now they have changed their decision.
He also said the prime minister should have begun public meetings much earlier in response to the opposition’s no-confidence move.
To a question about Pervez Elahi’s recent statement targeting the government with veiled criticism, Rashid said he was not involved in talks with allies, adding that Asad Umar and Pervez Khattak were mandated to talk to the government’s allies.
The interior minister further said those “violating Article 63-A of the Constitution would be disqualified from voting on the no-trust motion”.
According to Article 63-A of the Constitution, a parliamentarian can be disqualified on grounds of defection if he “votes or abstains from voting in the House contrary to any direction issued by the parliamentary party to which he belongs, in relation to election of the prime minister or chief minister; or a vote of confidence or a vote of no-confidence; or a money bill or a Constitution (amendment) bill”.
“I will also ask the [National Assembly] speaker about what date he is fixing [for the no-trust vote] from among March 28, 29 and 30.”