PM ‘wrong’ to allow airing of Nawaz speeches: Rashid
ISLAMABAD: Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid feels Prime Minister Imran Khan made an incorrect decision to allow airing of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s speech on TV channels though the premier wanted Sharif to be exposed.
Rashid alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-nawaz ( PML-N) supremo had become an active member of an “alliance” in London that was conspiring against the China-pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
“Khan sees the latest developments in London (Sharif’s speeches, etc) as part of activities of the alliance against the CPEC.”
“As the prime minister, Khan gave permission for airing Sharif’s speech but he was wrong. Had I been there, I would have never allowed this,” Rashid told reporters.
The minister said the decision was taken by Khan on his own as he believed that it (Sharif’s speech) would perhaps expose the PML-N supremo.
“But if it were up to me, I would not have wanted Sharif to speak that day.” He warned PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz to stop attacking him in her press conferences/media talks.
“I am giving you a final warning. I can disclose some news that can cause a political earthquake in this country. I respect you because you are a woman,” he said.
Rashid said Sharif had taken over the PML-N and was not ready to trust anyone except his daughter. “The Pakistan Army is a great force, but Sharif has waged a war against it.”
The minister claimed that Sharif and his daughter had stayed silent for a year and 10 months under a plan. “Why did Sharif and Maryam remain silent? I say under oath that they did this because they were bargaining for relief. Some of us are witnesses to this.”
He reiterated that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would never tender resignations from assemblies. “I can clearly state that by the end of December, there will be a sweeping operation [to send the opposition leaders to jail].
“The opposition leaders will continue their anti-government movement till Feb 20, but not ater the Senate elections.”
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will on Monday hear a plea seeking a ban on airing speeches of Sharif and leader of opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif on television channels.
The plea was filed by a citizen, Amir Aziz, who has made the Sharif brothers, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Chairman and others, respondents.