ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Monday asserted that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) does not feel threatened by the Opposition at all because “it is spineless and worthless”.
“In fact, Prime Minister Imran Khan is lucky that he got such a worthless Opposition,” the interior minister said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad. Rashid referred to the Pakistan Democratic Movement as a “dead political elephant”.
The minister continued, “I will request the Opposition that the politics of the frog in the well has ended from August 15 and now politics is happening in deep-sea waters — look at the changing situation.”
“This worthless Opposition has not been able to make any decision so far,” he said, adding that the democratic movement had set out to oust the government last December but almost one year on, it was still planning to oust it without taking any concrete actions.
Rashid also reacted to the Opposition’s criticism of the PTI-led government due to the rising inflation in the country and said that the situation arose due to the policies of the previous governments as well as the coronavirus situation in the country.
However, the minister admitted that the country has been facing rising inflation. “I’m not the minister who denies the facts but you have to see that coronavirus pandemic happened, there were installments to be paid of loans and debts,” he added.
He said no government wanted inflation to be present during its tenure and Pakistan had been saved from sanctions under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s leadership. “PM Imran Khan is trying his best to reduce inflation this year,” he said, adding that those who are leading a campaign against inflation are themselves “the biggest looters.”
Referring to PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s criticism of state institutions, the interior minister said it was an example of “great irresponsibility” and she was “only digging ditches for herself”.
‘Reduction in jail sentences’
Sheikh Rashid also announced a reduction in jail sentences of prisoners by three months on account of Eid Miladun Nabi.
“In the matter of Eid Miladun Nabi, the interior ministry is issuing a notification after the approval of the prime minister whereby all prisoners are being given relief of three months in their prison sentences — those prisoners who were convicted for any heinous crimes are not included in this,” he added.
Besides, the minister said that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had done “fantastic arrangements” for the Ashra-e-Shan-e-Rehmat-ul-Lil-Alameen.
He also spoke on other topics such as the situation at the Afghanistan border, saying that the visa-on-arrival facility had been abolished and shifted to an online mechanism. He added that the visa fee was also being suspended till December 31 as a “goodwill gesture”.
“We are also issuing a five-year business visa,” Rashid said. Furthermore, the Integrated Border Management System would be rolled out to other areas as well including Badini and Ghulam Khan.
