Firing on Imran Khan should not be politicized& speculations on the incident must be avoided: Marriyum Aurangzeb
ISLAMABAD, Nov 03 (SABAH): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Thursday condemned firing on the former prime minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan in Gujranwala and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.
“The incident is very unfortunate and condemnable. It should not be politicized and speculations on the incident must be avoided,” she said in a news statement. Marriyum said the Punjab police as well as administration and other relevant departments should bring forth the facts after investigating the incident which occurred within the jurisdiction of Punjab government.
She said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had sought preliminary report on the matter, while Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan was in constant contact with the Inspector General and Chief Secretary Punjab. The minister said the federal government would extend all-out cooperation to the Punjab Government in this regard.
“We are waiting for the report of Punjab government over the incident,” she added. She advised the media to avoid speculation on the incident which was sensitive in nature. Speculations on such matter might lead to violence, she added.
The media was needed to act in responsible way and should only publish those facts which were shared by the provincial government and Punjab police, she stressed, adding verified information would be shared with media as soon as it was received. Marriyum also prayed for early recovery of Senator Faisal Javed who also got injured during the incident.
Meanwhile Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has postponed his press conference regarding his recent visit to China due an attack on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march.
In a tweet shared by the minister at around 5:00pm Thursday evening, Marriyum Aurangzeb said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has postponed his press conference scheduled for Thursday pertaining to his visit to China after learning about the firing incident in Gujranwala.
The information minister, however, refrained from commenting on the attack or condemning the incident. She indirectly pointed out the negligence of the Punjab government and the security agencies that led to the unfortunate incident by re-tweeting a journalist’s analysis on the unfolding events.
Meanwhile Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has said the world is eager to invest in Pakistan due to prudent policies of the government.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Thursday, she said the entire world wants to revive investment in Pakistan. She said all indicators are improving as well as the economy is revamping.
The Minister said despite the devastation caused by recent floods in the country, there is no shortage of flour, sugar, wheat and other essential items. She said the only crisis one can witness is on PTI Chief Imran Khan’s container.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said Imran Khan wants to spread anarchy and chaos in the country while on the other hand, the coalition government is busy in serving the masses.
She said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced to provide best and comfortable travel facilities to the residents of Islamabad. She said the Prime Minister is personally monitoring this.
The Minister said the government strengthened Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with the international community. She said it is Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government which has revived China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that had become slow during the four years of the previous regime.
Regarding the political situation, the Minister said next general elections will be held well in time.
Replying to a question, she said the federal government will ensure protection of the residents of the federal capital and nobody will be allowed to endanger lives and properties of citizens in the name of political processions.