Those who ‘sold their conscience’ never gained respect: Sheikh Rashid
ISLAMABAD, Mar 17 (SABAH): Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Thursday expressed confidence that Prime Minister Imran Khan would win the no-confidence vote against him, adding that the “skies will start clearing up” from March 25.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Sheikh Rashid said during meetings today, the premier directed ministers to remain in contact with the government’s allies. “Imran Khan will succeed and the allies, who are holding discussions right now I am confident they will stand with the prime minister.”
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that he had predicted three months ago that the opposition would not come to the capital on March 23, instead, it would arrive on March 25. “Today, I am telling you the skies will start clearing up after March 25. Their people will hold a rally on 25 and then we will have a rally on the 27th.”
He said it was the speaker’s decision when to call the session of the National Assembly, reiterating that Prime Minister Imran Khan would succeed. “I am confident that our allies, who are reflecting and discussing right now, will also decide in favour of Imran Khan.”
He said it was his duty as interior minister to ensure the protection of common people, MNAs and to look after the law and order situation, adding that paramilitary Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC) officials would start guarding the perimeters of the National Assembly and Parliament Lodges from March 20 while 2,000 officials would be deployed for the capital’s security from March 20 to April 2.
“It will be my effort as interior minister to deal properly with the law and order-related problems,” he said.
The minister also addressed reports that a number of opposition MNAs, as well as some lawmakers from the ruling party, are presently staying at Sindh House in the capital for “security”.
When asked whether the government would take action on reports that a Sindh police security force had been called to the Sindh House in the capital, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said, “We are not taking any action against anyone right now. The time is far away,” he said in reference to the day voting on the no-trust motion would take place.
“I do not want to say anything that will create a problem. Deputy Inspector General Maqsood Memon and the force they the opposition have brought in are a separate case. The buying and selling (of lawmakers) in Sindh House is a separate case,” the minister said, adding that those who “sold their conscience” never gained respect.
“There are some people in Sindh House. They have called 300-400 policemen. No problem. There are many days left.”
He also criticised Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif’s suggestion to form a national government without the PTI, saying it was the “first time that Shehbaz’s cat is out of the bag”. The minister predicted that Shehbaz would suggest the formation of a technocrat government in a few days.
The interior minister said the nation could see that those who used to raise the slogan of vote ko izzat do (honour the vote) — a reference to the PML-N — were now advocating a national government for the next five years. “This is a matter of the law and Constitution. Shehbaz has been exposed after what he said yesterday.
“The political match will happen in Islamabad and the opposition will lose,” he said, cautioning the opposition to avoid a clash otherwise they would regret it all their lives.
“Shehbaz played the first shot yesterday [when he said] we will form a national government. Do you think we are sitting here helpless? It is the MNAs’ right to vote and [we want] the whole process to happen in accordance with the law.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan had become more popular because of the opposition’s “foolishness” and more people were coming out in his support, Ahmed said, remarking, “You were sitting helplessly for 3.5 years and now suddenly you are becoming Maula Jutt.”
“We want to see the implementation of the law and Constitution,” he said, adding that MNAs should vote on the no-confidence resolution “in accordance with their conscience and [the wishes of the] people who elected them”.
The Minister said there will be public holidays in the federal capital from 21st to 24th of this month due to the session of the OIC council of Foreign Ministers.
He said Pakistan Day parade this time will be historic one as the OIC foreign ministers will also attend the event. He said 2000 Rangers and FC personnel will perform duty on this occasion to maintain law and order in the federal capital. He said the parliament house and federal lodges will be protected by FC and Rangers.
Sheikh Rashid says he has advised PM Imran Khan to impose governor’s rule in Sindh
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Thursday that he has advised Prime Minister Imran Khan to impose governor’s rule in Sindh.
Talking to the media in Islamabad, Sheikh Rashid accused the Sindh government of “buying and selling” lawmakers’ votes, terming it a “conspiracy against democracy”.
“We are not sending police to Sindh House as they (dissident PTI lawmakers) went to Sindh House because of their greed for money,” he said, adding that the matter was between the lawmakers and their constituents.
He claimed that the PTI MNAs had been “attracted by money”, saying it was a very good thing that they had been “exposed”.
The interior minister said the session of the National Assembly could be called on March 21 while the government has announced holidays in the capital on March 21, 22 and 23 in view of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit.
“After March 25, it will be Sheikh Rashid, the media and Imran Khan’s support. There will be a sea of people on the 27th,” he said referring to the PTI’s planned rally at Islamabad’s D-Chowk.