Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry Sunday said ruled out any serious differences between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).
“PTI and its allies, including the PML-Q, are different parties and may have some differences, which can be important but not of serious nature,” the minister said while talking to media here. “They (PML-Q) are our partners and we will, Insha Allah, set aside these differences and move forward in the best interest of the country,” he added.
To another query, the minister said there was suspense about Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari that whether they would spend last days of their lives in jails or in London. “The people who remained in power for 30 years should be ashamed of demanding their medical treatment abroad,” he said. “Zardari has done some things over which no one can help him out,” he added.
The minister hoped that courts, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and other prosecution institutions will take into account the fact that the rich people be given same treatment in jails as was being given to the poor prisoners. As far as Nawaz Sharif’s health is concerned, he said, an independent team of doctors will decide about it. “A common man thinks that when an influential or rich man is sent to jail, why all of a sudden he falls ill and gets hospitalized,” he added.
The minister also rejected reports regarding suspension of an Elite Force official for saluting former prime minister Nawaz Sharif during his shifting to a hospital from prison. “We are not narrow-minded,” he remarked.
Regarding the Sahiwal incident, he said the prime minister has expressed solidarity with the victim family and resolved to ensure dispensation of justice to them at all costs. The prime minister has also directed Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar to take all possible measures for provision of justice to the victim family, he added.
Regarding a meeting of the media strategic committee, Fawad said it has been decided to revive the social media set-up of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The meeting also discussed as to how the government can play a role in helping the working journalists and media workers come out of the prevailing financial crisis, he said. “The prime minister has directed me to hold meetings with the owners of media houses to find ways and means to end the crisis,” he added.
The minister said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was going to launch the first phase of Insaf Sehat Card on Monday (today) for the poor segments of the society, who do not have proper access to healthcare facilities. They will now be able to get free-of-cost medical treatment up to Rs 900,000. The initiative will bring about a revolution in the healthcare facilities for the poor, he maintained.
Fawad said the prime minister also chaired a meeting on the governance matters in Punjab and soon changes will come forth in this regard as improving the governance system is part of the PTI’s manifesto. He said another detailed meeting on police reforms and governance will be held on Monday (today) at the Prime Minister Office in Islamabad and its details will be shared with the media.
Published in Daily Times, February 4th 2019.