SIALKOT: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that assemblies will be dissolved after completing their constitutional tenure after one month in August.
While addressing a worker’s convention in Sialkot, the PML-N leader said that the preparation for general elections has commenced and the distribution of tickets will start soon.
The federal minister said the nation will get the opportunity to exercise its right to vote after five years, adding that voters are the source of power for political activists and leaders. He said the distribution of tickets and seat adjustment will start soon.
Khawaja Asif said they took over the government in difficult circumstances. He stated PDM-led government had the choice to dissolve assemblies immediately after gaining control but it would have deepened the economic crisis and Pakistan would have defaulted 14 months ago.
“We had a choice to dissolve the assemblies after taking over but it would have led to economic loss,” he added. “If the assembly was dissolved, the flow of IMF funds and other aid would have stopped and the country would have defaulted.”
He said they tried to save the country from default and steered out of crisis. He said the nation is still not economically stable but there has been a respite to take measures for economic discipline.
He deplored that electricity, gas, and taxes worth thousands of rupees are evaded and if this trend continues, the country will continue to suffer economically. He said steps should be taken in the next month so that the interim government will follow them before the formation of the new government.
The defence minister revealed that the reason behind the ouster of the former prime minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion was his attitude toward allies.
He lambasted the PTI chairman for dissolving the KP and Punjab assemblies despite disagreement by his party members. The PTI chief planned the May 9 violence and it will be a black day in the history of Pakistan, he added.
He said the situation occurred due to Imran’s political wrong decisions and the PTI chief made the last attack on the army. He said Imran is paying the price of his political mistakes.
