Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Sunday lambasted the opposition for their threat to disrupt the OIC summit and dared them of making such an attempt. He warned the political leaders, from both sides of the aisle in parliament, against creating any instability on the day of public gathering.
The united opposition on Saturday threatened to disrupt the OIC meeting, which is scheduled to take place on March 22, 23, in case the National Assembly speaker fails to table the no-confidence motion till Monday (tomorrow). However, they had backtracked from their position in late statements on Twitter.
“I curse the opposition and those who try to disrupt the OIC summit. With such threats they are trying to make Indian and foreign forces attempts to destabilise the country,” he said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
Joint opposition ‘retreats’ from threat to disrupt OIC moot
He lamented the words used by PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday. “Can anyone think of giving such an irresponsible statement,” he said, adding that Article 254 of the Constitution allowed the National Assembly speaker to extend the date of the vote of no-confidence if there are “such conditions”. He reiterated that the speaker has no right to “kill” the no-confidence motion.
Rashid dared the opposition to disrupt the OIC summit, saying that they walked back on their decision after “receiving a phone call” from the stakeholders. He vowed that no hindrance would be created for the lawmakers going to cast their vote on the day of the no-trust vote.
He further warned the political leaders of registering a constitutional case if any human or financial loss occurred due to their public gatherings. “If a case can be registered against workers of PTI and Ansarul Islam workers so it can be filed against them.”
PPP threatens parliament sit-in unless no-trust vote is tabled on Monday
The interior minister said that he had received several phone calls from ambassadors amid the brewing political situation. He said 500-600 foreign dignitaries were arriving for the OIC meeting. “Political leaders will be responsible if anything happens on 25.”
He was of the view that the opposition has killed former premier Nawaz Sharif’s slogan ‘Vote Ko Izzat Do’.
On the prevailing political situation, Rashid said that overall as many as 8,000 police, 2,000 Rangers, and 1,000 Frontier Corps personnel have been called for Islamabad’s security till April 2.
He condemned the incident in which the PTI workers led by the ruling party MNAs stormed the Sindh House – a place where dissidents are staying. Rashid was of the view that negligence was seen on both sides – party workers and police. The interior minister said that FIRs have been registered against them – including the two MNAs – who were released by police on orders of SAPM on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill after the incident. He added that Rangers and the FC forces have also been deployed in such houses.
Moreover, the interior minister expressed hope that the estranged leaders would ponder on their decision and decide to join PM Imran.
“I request the estranged leaders to take opposition’s money and work for PM,” he said, “Doors are open for dissidents and I am their lawyer.”
Information Minister on Sunday said that notices have been issued to dissident PTI members and they have been asked to clarify their position within seven days. "After one week, their seats will be declared vacant and all members will be disqualified for life. New members are being nominated for reserved seats," he said in a tweet.
