ISLAMABAD: Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Tuesday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan was creating hurdles in the way of development in the country.
He was addressing a news conference along with Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications Anusha Rehman, Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and PML-N leader Daniyal Aziz.
Saad Rafique said that Imran Khan was going to become a threat for the country due to his immature politics. He advised him to leave politics and start working as a fast bowling coach since he could not do politics.
He said that Imran Khan had tried his best to make China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project controversial just for getting petty gains.
He said that Chinese president could not visit Pakistan due to the PTI’s sit-ins in 2014. During the visit, he was going to sign a deal for investment worth 46 billion dollars.
The PTI was also responsible for delay in inauguration of CPEC project, he added.
The minister said that Imran Khan does politics in Pakistan but gave his support to a Jewish candidate against a Muslim candidate for Mayor election in London.
He said Imran’s politics had damaged the Kashmir cause. The Indian media highlighted the PTI chiarman’s boycott from joint session of the parliament on Kashmir issue last month, he added.
He also expressed remorse over the PTI’s decision to boycott joint session of parliament, which is to be addressed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“Both the countries are not only enjoying friendly ties, but also have brotherly and historical relations. The people of Turkey cherished us with great respect,” he added.
He advised Imran Khan to participate in the joint session of the Parliament on November 17.
Saad Rafique said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was never involved in any money laundering, or sending any money abroad.
He said that Pakistan would continue its moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir.
“The whole nation strongly condemns the Indian aggression on the Line of Control (LoC) and is united on the Kashmir cause,” he added.
How long would India carry out barbarism through military power on innocent people of Kashmir, he questioned. Pakistan would endlessly raise voice for the Kashmiris, he said.
He urged the international community to take serious notice of severe human rights violations being perpetrated by Indian security forces in the held valley.
Saad Rafique said that PTI chairman had only levelled allegations against the prime minister and when he was asked to produce any evidence he brought `garbage’ as a proof for the Supreme Court.
He said that the prime minister categorically apprised the Parliament and nation that his name was not included in Panama Papers.
Saad said that in 1972 Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) made the policy of nationalisation and many families had shifted their business abroad and Sharif family was one of them.
The minister said that Nawaz Sharif’s father, being a professional businessman, had good business relations with foreign dignitaries and he was offered to do business in Dubai. So his father established Gulf Steel Mill there.
Anusha Rehman said that the prime minister’s son was not bound to appear before any court but he presented himself just for the sake of transparency.
“Now it is proved before the court and the nation that PTI has no evidence,” she added.
Dr Tariq Fazal said that politics was the name of understanding and sensibility but PTI could not understand those norms.
He said the PTI even failed to provide relevant evidence before the judicial commission on rigging in general election of 2013.
He said that PTI should come up with evidence on Panama Papers, if it had any.
He said that the prime minister’s name was not included in those papers but even then he presented himself for accountability.
Daniyal Aziz said that Imran Khan was the founder of the off-shore business, while Jehangir Tareen had admitted that he he used to do business in the name of his driver and cook.
