Daily Times

Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry Sunday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was not facing any ‘political crisis’.

“The parties led by Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari have already met their fate due to bad governance in their respective governments during the past 10 years,” the minister said while talking to media here at the Alhamra Hall. “Pakistan has unfortunately been ruled by a pack of people in the past who were not interested in improving its image. Those rulers robbed the national wealth and filled their coffers,” he added.

Fawad said former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has been offered a novel trial. He was allowed to proceed to England during the trial while his lawyer was allowed to cross-examine the witnesses for 22 days. “This kind of treatment has never been meted to anyone in the past. Persons like Wali Khan and Faiz Ahmed Faiz were put on trial in Attock Fort and closed jail cells but Nawaz Sharif was dealt with in a different way,” he said. “Similarly, Shehbaz Sharif is a prisoner in papers, but he lives at a home and whenever he wants he can order the prosecutors and NAB officials as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, to appear before him,” he added.

The minister said the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to make the country like that of the ‘State of Madina’ was not political but social one. “He wants to make Pakistan a state which is tolerant, where freedom of speech is encouraged and justice to all and sundry is ensured,” he said.

Fawad said the government will present finance bill on January 23, which will help strengthen the economy. It will contain a lot for the masses to celebrate, he added.

To another query, he said Prime Minister Imran Khan will come up to the people’s expectations. “Just give the PTI government two to three years, and you will hail it for the epoch-making reforms undertaken.” The nation should have faith in the PTI government, which will not disappoint it, he said in response to a question.

Fawad said the government would not accept any pressure from the opposition. The prime minister does not believe in NROs.

Referring to Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, he said one brother is behind the bars over corruption while the other is to follow the suit soon.

About his Karachi visit, he said the opposition political leadership was put on the exit control list (ECL) on the recommendations of the joint investigation team. “Karachi is a part of Pakistan and nobody can stop me from visiting the city as I have to perform some official business there. There is also no bar on meeting political friends in the mega city,” he said.

The minister said relations between Pakistan and the United States are improving fast. He rejected the statement of former US ambassador Cameron Munter, saying he was not aware of the developments in Washington DC as he had retired long time ago. “Islamabad and Washington have cordial relations and the recent meetings between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have strengthened the ties between the two countries,” he added.

Replying to a question, the minister said the government was contemplating to ease visa restrictions for 66 countries in order to promote tourism in the country. “Prime Minister Imran Khan has a vision to promote tourism in the country. He wants foreigners in large number to visit Pakistan and see its beautiful colours. Pakistan’s cultural festivals are a great feast to watch,” he added.

To another question, the minister said the Basant festival will take place after finalization of modalities how to make it accident-free. “The government is committed to hold all the festivals, including Mela Chiraghan and Sachal Sarmast Urs, and many others which have since been abandoned,” he added.

Published in Daily Times, January 14^th 2019.