Bilawal & his father offering money to buy the loyalties of elected representatives: Qureshi
ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (SABAH): Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that the government will inflict defeat to the opposition’s no confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in a political and democratic manner in accordance with the spirit of the constitution.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Monday, Shah Mahmood Qureshi asked PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari not to drag institutions into the politics.
The Foreign Minister said that Bilawal Bhutto and his father are resorting to undemocratic and unconstitutional tactics and offering money to buy the loyalties of elected representatives.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the PTI government has full confidence in its allies including PML-Q, MQM-Pakistan, GDA and Balochistan Awami Party. He said the allied parties always stood by the government in the past and we are grateful to them. He said the leadership of allied parties comprises of seasoned politicians who cannot be hoodwinked by the opposition parties.
“We believe they are very refined and honourable people. They have supported us at various points in these 3 years and we were, are and will remain thankful to them,” the foreign minister said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
He said he trusted the government’s allies to fully understand the opposition’s tactics and the truth in their promises. “They are experienced politicians and they won’t easily be fooled. To meet and listen to others is everyone’s right but they understand everything,” the foreign minister added. Qureshi said the opposition would face disappointment in trying to win over the government’s allies.
The Foreign Minister said the unholy alliance amongst the opposition parties is a marriage of convenience which is not durable and will shatter soon. He pointed out that these opposition parties have no common ideology. He said their only agenda is to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan and everybody knows as to why they are scared of Imran Khan.
Alluding to the situation on the global front, the Foreign Minister said that the government will move forward keeping in view the national interests.
He also questioned the opposition on whether its move was benefiting the country’s economic, business and diplomatic environment and other efforts such as campaigning for Afghanistan.
“What signal is being sent to India with this move?” the foreign minister asked, questioning if the move to table a no-trust resolution was benefiting Pakistan’s arch rival.
Qureshi said there was clarity in the government and its institutions about what was better for the country’s national interest, adding that they [government and institutions] would move forward accordingly.
Taking aim at the PPP in particular, he accused the party of bribing lawmakers to switch their loyalties and using undemocratic and unconstitutional methods.