LAHORE: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said that not foes, but Imran Khan, hatched a conspiracy against Pakistan, adding that the former prime minister did not achieve anything sublime which could have invited international powers to hatch a conspiracy to derail his government.

Speaking at ‘Meet the Press’ of Lahore Press Club (LPC) here on Sunday, she said neither Imran Khan initiated atomic explosions nor did he start the CPEC or launch a project which may put countries in awe, adding why would a superpower conspire against a government which had lost the confidence of the people.

“You, as prime minister, invited countries as observers at the OIC meeting in Islamabad and now alleges them of conspiracy”, she said.

She observed that Imran Khan was in the habit of levelling baseless allegations against political rivals, adding why had he not taken action against the people to prove the truthfulness of his allegations during his tenure.

Marriyum said Imran Khan had pushed the country into chaos due to his vindictive nature, political victimization and poor governance, and alleged that Imran Khan compromised the Kashmir cause. Marriyum said that the masses had to face poverty due to the incompetence of the PTI government.

The minister said Imran Khan closed down metro bus project during his tenure although people could have been provided cheap transport from Faizabad to Islamabad Airport, adding that Imran Khan kept the 27 power plants closed which caused power-shortages.

She said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been voted into power through public support and power of the vote, adding that Shehbaz Sharif was not elected through the votes of the disgruntled PTI parliamentarians but the votes of the former PTI ally parties which had rejected Imran Khan’s mantra of economic failure and political victimization.

“Come out of fear of Shehbaz Sharif. He is a reality who has support of the people of Pakistan”, Marriyum said, adding that, Imran Khan sought help from financial institutions, whereas Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif went to the friendly countries to seek assistance.

To a question, the information minister said that the PML-N-led coalition government would never indulge in blame-game against national institutions, adding that it was necessary to set the record right and “let people know of our performance”.

To another question, she said the government would never drag institutions into politics, adding that it was not PML-N Vice President Mariam Nawaz but PTI Chairman Imran Khan who made a mention of the chief of the country’s intelligence agency during a public rally a few days back. She said the officers who serve the political aims of certain politicians stand in stark violation of their oath of allegiance to the country and constitution.

Marriyum said the government practices zero-tolerance on curbs against media and PML-N government believes in freedom of the media, adding that she, herself, is a petitioner against section 20 of the PECA in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The Information minister, on the occasion, reminded the media persons of their responsibility to safeguard interests of the country, adding that the media must ensure that the news do not incite hatred.

The minister said no television channel has been placed on later numbers on the cable network, adding that the Cable Operators Association has denied any discrimination as claimed by a particular television channel.

She said all channels were broadcasting Imran Khan’s speeches, adding that the government need not put a curb on his coverage as he will doom himself in the public eye through his unsubstantiated lies.