Murtaza Solangi says Nawaz Sharif had flown abroad after getting permission from the court & the govt, not due to jailbreak

KARACHI, Sep 23 (SABAH): Former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had flown abroad after getting permission from the court and the government, not due to jailbreak, said Murtaza Solangi – the Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting – who added that he (Nawaz) would be treated according to law and constitution on his return to Pakistan.

 

The minister remarked some people were confused on the issue of elections and spreading confusion was a business for some others. The caretaker government had no confusion on the issue of elections, he added

Murtaza Solangi, who visited the Karachi Press Club on Saturday, told media persons that Nawaz Sharif was a three-time prime minister and he had no knowledge of which court the PML-N supremo would move after his return.

Replying to various questions on the subject, the caretaker information minister said he didn’t want to speculate as it was Nawaz Sharif who would have to answer such queries.

As the minister faced a flurry of questions about the elections, he again made it clear that the caretaker setup would give equal opportunities to all the registered political parties for taking part in the electoral process.

Murtaza Solangi reiterated that the caretaker government would fulfill its constitutional responsibilities and provide all the available resources to the Election Commission of Pakistan for conducting the exercise.

When asked about the rupee appreciation and the fuel prices, Murtaza Solangi said the incumbent setup had no role in pricing mechanism which was linked to the rates in global markets.

However, he added, that there were enough chances of reduction in petroleum products’ rates due to the gains made by the local currency. People would get some benefit of reduction in the value of the dollar, Murtaza Solangi said.

The minister noted that power theft burdened other consumers and recovering the amount from them through their monthly system was unjustified – a mechanism which, he said, should be changed.

Murtaza Solangi said the interim setup was aiming at stabilising the national economy while ensuring that Pakistan didn’t slide towards default and political temperature was cooled down. Legislation wasn’t their prerogative but they would do everything to reduce the current problems, he added.

Murtaza Solangi said that the interim government will play its due role in facilitating the Election Commission for free, fair and transparent election in the country. He said government is taking various measures to support economic situation of country and these measures have shown results recently in the decreasing price of dollar.

Murtaza Solangi said he believes in the freedom of speech and freedom of journalism and will do all in his power to resolve the issues of journalists in priority basis.

He said that despite limited time and the limited authorities, the caretaker government will do all it can to resolve the issues of the journalist community.

Earlier, the Caretaker Minister visited Pakistan Television Center Karachi. General Manager PTV Karachi Center Amjad Hussain Shah briefed the minister about the performance and problems of PTV Karachi Center.