Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that both retired and serving officers of the Pakistan army were involved in the ‘mutiny’ of May 9. He also said that elections will be held based on the latest census.

Speaking to Asma Shirazi in Faisla Aap Ka on Aaj News on Tuesday, Shehbaz once again said that Imran Khan had incited a mob to attack the state. He also said that Imran Khan and his supporters had acted as ‘foes disguised as friends’ and that May 9 would always be remembered as a black day.

On elections

Shehbaz said that elections should be held on the basis of the latest census for transparency unless there were obstacles that could not be surmounted. He also said that the census would be referred to the Council of Common Interests as soon as the results were compiled.

However, when asked if following the new census would mean a delay in elections, he said that delimitation of constituencies and organising the election is the job of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Shehbaz also said that the government would complete its tenure on August 12 and was fulfilling all requirements for elections to be properly conducted in 90 days.

However, he added that if arrangements to hold elections were not finalised in 60 days, the matter would go to the chief election commissioner.

He said that negotiations for a caretaker setup have already begun and a committee has been specially set up for the task. He added that Nawaz Sharif has also been consulted. Shehbaz said that once finalised, the government’s names will be shared with opposition leader Raja Riaz.

However, he also said that the caretaker government’s job was not to ‘waste time’ and that progress should continue even after the elected government’s tenure ended.

He also said that only a government backed by the people’s mandate, that ruled for five full years can solve the country’s problems.

He added that ‘vote ko izzat do’ was a good narrative, ‘kaam ko izzat do’ is also a valid one.

On oil prices and IMF

Speaking hours after the government jacked up petrol prices by a massive Rs20, Shehbaz said that the price of oil was completely dependant on international rates. He said that the price had only gone down in recent days. However, with the latest increase in global prices, his government was forced to make fuel more expensive.

Shehbaz also said that his hands had been tied by the deal with the International Monetary Fund and no subsidies except those already listed in the budget can be given. He added that while electricity had been made expensive, those consuming less than 200 units had not been affected.

He also said that his government was committed to fulfilling the IMF deal, unlike the previous government which had violated its promises.

Working with allies

Shehbaz added that it was not in his ‘nature’ to work in a coalition but he had managed to pull Pakistan out of its crisis through a joint effort.

He also said that working with allies had its ups and downs and it was speculated that such an alliance would not work. He also added that seat adjustment could be done with allied parties if needed.