Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Thursday said National Assembly Opposition Leader Shahbaz Sharif exposed himself before the nation when he floated the idea of forming a national government, sans the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), for the next five years after ousting the prime minister.
“The cat is out of the bag finally. The opposition [won’t stop at this and] after national government, will seek a technocrat setup, he forecasted while speaking to reporters in Islamabad.
He said there was no room for a national government under the Constitution. “The opposition should not push the situation towards a confrontation as it could be harmful to the entire political apparatus,” he cautioned.
The minister reiterated that Prime Minister Imran Khan would emerge victorious and the no-confidence motion against him will face defeat.
Duties were assigned to the ministers to continue consultation with the allied parties of the government, he added.
Ahmed expressed the hope that whenever the allied parties will make a decision, they will decide in favour of the prime minister.
He said March 21-24 would be a public holiday in Islamabad owing to a session of OIC nations. “Pakistan Day parade will be a historic one as the visiting foreign ministers would also attend the event,” he added.
The minister recalled he had predicted three months ago the opposition would not come to the capital on March 23, instead, it would now arrive on March 25.
The situation would start clearing up after March 25, he said.
Ahmed said 2,000 personnel of Rangers and FC would perform security duties in Islamabad from March 20 to April 2. Parliament House and Federal Lodges would be protected by their troops, he added.
He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would hold a historic rally at D-Chowk on March 27 while the opposition has also planned to hold a rally on March 25. Maintenance of law and order was the responsibility of the interior ministry, he added.
He said full security would be provided to the MPs for casting their votes in the National Assembly. MPs should vote on the no-confidence motion in accordance with their consciences and as the wishes of the people who elected them, he said.
The minister said there was a report that some 12 lawmakers were staying in Sindh House. The horsetrading claim was a separate case, he said.
Ahmed reiterated that he firmly stood with PM Imran Khan like a rock.
Earlier, addressing at the conference, the minister said that police rendered supreme sacrifices in the war against terrorism. Paying rich tribute to the police force, Ahmed said that they performed their duties with dedication despite various hardships.
He said the police was being equipped with the latest technology.
