The federal government advised the Imran Khan-led party on Saturday to return to Parliament and postpone the long march, just a day before the PTI’s rally in Faizabad.
“Return to Parliament and become part of Parliament and politics so that Pakistan can progress, grow economically and common men prosper,” he said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad. “If such things do not happen then you will be responsible. You will be responsible for inflation, difficulties to the common men, and political instability.”
The PTI got permission from the Rawalpindi administration for the Faizabad rally tomorrow (Saturday) after the former ruling party agreed to follow 56 conditions–including no speech against constitutional offices/armed forces/judiciary.
According to Sanaullah, the PTI’s return to Parliament was not an offer but a solution to their problem as the Imran-led party has been running an anti-government campaign since Imran was ousted via a vote of no-confidence.
When a journalist asked when the apparent political wing will end in the ISI, Sanaullah reminded the journalists of DG ISI and DG ISPR’s last press conference and added it was their job to do this. “Those who have made this decision are their job and the institution had promised in front of the nation that they will have an apolitical role and won’t interfere in politics. This is a commitment to the nation.”
He expressed hope for such commitment. “Lt Gen Asim Munir, the next army chief, had a role in the decision, or according to our information he had an important role in this decision.”
To a query over the banned outfit al Qaeda’s threat in PTI’s rally, he explained that the outlawed group was not about to come here and they would bring up an agent here and give money. He questioned whether such people were here or not.
Over such a threat, the interior minister had a detailed discussion with all the chief secretaries and directed them to ensure foolproof security.
He clarified that Islamabad would remain open and the traffic on some routes would continue, it would not be blocked.
The interior minister further clarified that the date of the election and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s return was not linked to the army chief’s appointment, adding that Sharif’s return if was linked to anything was on the court’s decision on his daughter’s appeal.
“We have been waiting that if the decision is positive in that appeal. If Justice is served then it will be easy to get Nawaz Sharif’s protective bail and get justice for him. Nawaz’s bail is written with Maryam’s appeal so his return, getting a protective bail, and facing cases after bail and lead party is easy. It is not difficult for him [Nawaz] to return now. The party has only requested that Nawaz’s presence is a must for better performance in next general elections.”
