Bureau Report
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has on Friday said the opposition’s protest will not be stopped however the law will come into force if peace is disturbed.
The federal minister held a press conference in Lahore and reiterated Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders will not tender resignations, and will participate both in the by-elections and the Senate polls. Sheikh Rashid said no one wants unrest in the country and PDM will be treated according to their own conduct. He urged all to respect the law and the constitution of the country.
The interior minister further added that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) President Fazal-ur-Rehman wants to play a five-over game while Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is playing a Test match.Earlier Thursday, Federal ministers said Thursday that although protesting is a democratic right of the opposition, it aims to spread chaos through it which the government will not allow to happen.
Talking to media in Islamabad, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, along with other ministers Shibli Faraz, Farogh Naseem, Fawad Chaudhry and Pervez Khattak, said the government will not stop PDM from their protest in front of Election Commission Office.
Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said the anti-government drive of PDM will have no effect on PTI government as public support is with Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The Minister expressed hope that PDM will not disrupt the peace by taking law in their hands.
Speaking on the occasion, Law Minister Farogh Naseem said protest is fundamental right but it should be as per the provisions of law. He said Supreme Court’s verdict in Faizabad sit-in case suggests that protests shouldn’t be taken place anywhere.
Information Minister Shibli Faraz appealed the opposition partied to provide proof and evidences of rigging instead of blaming national institutions. He said they should follow legal proceedings of the Election Commission.
Defence Minister Pervez Khattak and Minister for Science Fawad Chaudhry said protests of PDM are aimed at creating chaos in the country.
Replying to a query, he said no matter what, PM Khan will not recognise Israel. Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said that the ECP was constituted by the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz after consultation and how come now they are accusing it?
Defense Minister Pervaiz Khattak criticized the opposition for not skipping meetings of the committee formed to look into the issues of polls rigging allegations.
“I was head of the committee, but the opposition only attended two sessions and only raised allegations without any proofs”, said Khattak.
