Defence Minister Khawaja Asif says that former prime minister Imran Khan could be arrested in the scam of £190 million transferred by United Kingdome.

“The NAB has started an investigation in the case,” the minister said speaking on Aaj News programme ‘Faisla Aap Ka’ on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) summoned 21 members of the former prime minister Imran Khan’s cabinet in the scam of £190 million received from Britain.

The NAB has sent notices to the PTI cabinet members, including Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Murad Saeed, Pervaiz Khattak, Shafqat Mehmood, Shireen Mazari, Ali Haider Zaidi and Hammad Azhar.

The NAB said that the former prime minister Imran Khan could also be summoned in light of his cabinet members’ statements.

Khawaja Asif claimed that Imran Khan was sending messages through President Arif Alvi to initiate discussions with the ‘establishment’, adding that the PTI chief was doing everything in lust for power.

He said it seems strange that Imran Khan uses inappropriate language against state institutions. “At present, the armed forces are fighting a low-intensity war against terrorism.”

Asif said that the process of appointing the army chief had not started yet. He reiterated that the government has yet to decide on General Bajwa’s replacement.

A day earlier, the defence minister addressing a press conference in Islamabad said that the process of appointing the new army chief would start by month-end.

“Five senior officers are shortlisted for the appointment of the new army chief,” the defence minister said, adding that the new army chief could be chosen from any of those officers.

“All names are sent by the General Headquarters (GHQ), and all these names are thoroughly reviewed,” he added.

The minister said that the country was facing two major crises of devastation due to floods and the economic situation. “Both these problems are our existential problems.”

Replying to a question regarding Imran Khan’s demand for elections, the minister said that immediately after the no-confidence motion against the former premier, the agenda was to dissolve the assembly and go for new elections, but, the minister added, the PTI chairman left the country on verge of collapse.

Talking about the cipher, the defence minister said that it was a state secret and should be investigated thoroughly.