LAHORE, Pakistan: The Federal Minister for Interior and Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was conspiring for early polls as he was scared of uprising in his party.
Talking to the media after the 24th Annual Convocation of University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, he said the PTI’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s members had revolted against their leadership so he (Imran) knew, he would not be able to get success in the general election 2018.
“The PTI will lose Senate election 2018 and later on, it will be difficult for it to win few seats in the general election,” he added.
The minister said the process of polling scheme and formation of new constituencies after new census would take four to five months and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was unable to hold election before May 2018.
“In such situation, giving time more than 90 days to any caretaker government will not be a political decision,” he added.
Ahsan Iqbal said the nation was vibrant and it would never elect any inexperienced person, adding that the masses had elected the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan even after a negative campaign against the PML-N.
The interior minister said every Pakistani was feeling that the country was progressing so the people would throw out those elements who were creating obstacles in the way of progress.
Ahsan said Imran Khan had not even experience of running a union council, then how he could be able to run a country.
The minister said the nation was united on the Constitution and democracy, adding that only one formula would be succeeded in the election 2018 and that was performance.
“Some forces will try to launch negative propaganda against the PML-N, but despite that the PML-N will win the next election,” he hoped.
To a question about the killings of 15 citizens in Balochistan, he said an investigation of the incident was underway and commenting on it before the investigation report would be inappropriate.
“It is true that across border, terrorism has been increased in Balochistan so we are adopting measures for better security there,” he said.
Ahsan Iqbal said monitoring at Afghanistan border was being improved and the government was vigilant.
“Our neighbouring country India is spreading anarchy in Balochistan and other parts of the country to deter from China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),” he said.
The interior minister said the government would eliminate such incidents in Balochistan and it would adopt measures like it took against terrorists.
To another question about Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz, he said both were running their business in abroad and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif involved them in the judicial process on the ethical grounds.
“The judicial process has become a joke in the world”, he added.
To a question about the verdict of the Supreme Court against Nawaz Sharif, he said the party had implemented the decision in letter and spirit without wasting a moment but reservations on it was the right of the party.
“Like the PPP has reservations on Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto case and courts do not quote it as a reference like some other cases including Maulvi Tamizuddin case and Nusrat Bhutto case”, he added.
While answering a question about sit-in by Tehrik Labbaik Ya Rasool Ullah, he said it was follow up of sit-ins started by Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri whereas Khatm e Nabuwwat (finality of prophethood) was root of every Muslim’s faith.
To a question, he said working for Vision 2010, Vision 2025, CPEC and education was his achievement.
“Stamp of Nawaz Sharif will be observed at every mega or mini development project for the last 30 years,” he claimed.
