Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif criticised PTI Chairman Imran Khan, saying that no one can force the government to hold elections.
General elections cannot be held under outside pressure, and the decision to hold elections will be made by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in consultation with coalition partners, Asif said while speaking at a joint press conference alongside Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik, and Special Assistants to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and Attaullah Tarar.
Attacking Khan for his “whining” on the subject of the army chief’s appointment, he said that Imran Khan had been using [abusive] rhetoric ever since his removal. He added that Khan used to claim that he and the [establishment] were on the same page in the past. “When he was in charge, his embraces would continue with them, and now he is mistreating them,” Khawaja said.
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Asif claimed that during Khan’s tenure, Pakistan’s relations with the rest of the world suffered.
The minister stated, “We (PML-N) do not believe in political victimisation,” adding that his party supports the rule of law.
Asif argued that the court’s decision to exonerate PML-N leaders was based on merit in response to criticism from PTI.
He declared that Imran Khan Niazi and his supporters have nothing to show for their efforts and charged the previous administration of filing fabricated charges against PML-N leaders.
He claimed that Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz were the targets of a baseless money laundering lawsuit. The PML-N leader further stated that Imran’s primary issue is reclaiming power.
According to Khawaja Asif, “We demonstrated by our words and deeds that we stand with the judges.”
The PML-N leader responded to a query by restating that the general elections will take place on time.
Ahsan Iqbal asserted that the recent movement led by Imran Khan is not intended to bring about the calling of general elections in the country.
“At least four months are required for the new census in the country,” he said, adding that the government will not bow down to any pressure.
“It is not possible to hold early elections due to the rehabilitation of flood victims,” the PML-N leader added.