Daily Times

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Monday that despite having political differences with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, his party did not want enmity with the latter.

Addressing a press conference in the federal capital, Rana Sanaullah said there would be no cut in the resources of provincial governments and all requirements of law enforcement agencies would be fulfilled.

“Though economic condition is very tough and austerity measures are being taken but the government would not compromise on needs of law enforcement agencies and all resources to be provided to them as per directions of the prime minister,” he maintained.

During the meeting of the Apex Committee, he said that federal government had assured to provide all resources to the provinces for maintaining law and order.

Regarding comments of Maulana Fazlur Rehman about postponement of elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid security concerns, the minister said that his opinion regarding postponement of election was valuable.

However, he said the decision to hold elections was not of the government but of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

“The PDM would hold a meeting to discuss this matter as it seems difficult to run the election campaign in the current situation,” he said.

Regarding the possible arrest of Imran Khan, the minister said that things were clear against Imran Khan and he would have to appear before court to face the trial.

He said that PTI leaders dramatised the situation when Islamabad police team reached Lahore to arrest Imran Khan. “If Imran Khan is so much obedient to law, he should appear before the court as per orders,” he added.

The minister said the verdict of the court about Imran Khan would be accepted and implemented in case he was acquitted or awarded punishment.

“Imran Khan will have to appear before the court in next hearings otherwise he will be presented there,” he maintained.

He alleged that Imran Khan along with property tycoon looted Rs50 billion of the national treasury and got registered Al-Qadir Trust of 450 kanal.

He said that Imran Khan and his spouse were the trustees of this trust while both also minted money through their front lady `Farah Gogi’.

To a question, the minister said the PTI’s inapt government ruined the national economy during its three-and-a-half-year tenure and it violated the agreements with International Monetary Fund (IMF). He said that Nawaz Sharif criticized their opponents in past but in decent way as he did not believe in misbehaving with others.

To another query about police torture on journalists, the minister said that inquiry report would be presented in court and the decision of court to be respected.