Imran Khan rules out ‘political victimisation’

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

Prime Minister Imran Khan has made it clear that the government had nothing to do with the recent arrest of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and member of the National Assembly Rana Sanaullah, saying it did not believe in political victimisation.

He observed this while chairing a meeting of the party spokespersons. The forum had threadbare discussion on the latest political situation as well as the post-budget scenario.

Imran emphasised that neither his party nor the government believed in political victimisation and that the law was taking its course in the backdrop of the ongoing process of accountability. He explained that all the state institutions, including the judiciary, were independent and those who were arrested, should give clarification before the courts.

The prime minister regretted that instead of putting a strong defence, the opposition parties were trying to hurl baseless allegations against the government. He asked the spokespersons to effectively articulate the government narrative on national issues and counter the opposition’s propaganda.

About his upcoming visit to Washington, he said that his visit to the United States would further improve the existing relations between the two countries, sharing common approach on many matters, including finding a peaceful solution to Afghanistan.

The PML-N continues to pour scorn on the premier holding him responsible for the arrest of Sanaullah and other actions against the opposition parties. The premier’s statement was meant to dispel this impression.

Also during the day, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has sought records of Rana Sanuallah’s assets and vehicles to continue the probe pertaining to drug case against him.

According to a private television channel report, ANF has sent letters to all the organisations seeking records of his home, lands and various companies.

The media report said that ANF tighten the noose around two police officials posted in Faisalabad to expand the scope of drug case against Sanaullah. ANF sources asserted that they asked for the records just to ensure if his assets are not being acquired through the money of drug dealing. In an unrelated development, the opposition parties on Friday decided to submit a no-confidence motion against Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on July 9.

Representatives from nine parties attended the moot and chose Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Akram Khan Durrani as the Rahbar (leaders) Committee convener.

“We all have agreed that the Senate chairman should be removed and motion against him will be submitted on July 9. The opposition will come up with a new name for the post on July 11,” Durrani told reporters.

“We condemn the way democratic people are being distanced from politics and to record its protest and the Rahbar Committee has decided to stage province-wide gatherings from July 25.”

Former prime minister and senior PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the country should be run only through a parliamentary system and reject any talk of presidential system or any other system.

“Production orders for incarcerated members of the Parliament should be issued as it is their right to vote for the chairman. It is easy for the government to arrest members, but it denies them their right to vote.”

The former premier added that general elections held in 2018 were controversial and to mark the day, the opposition will observe a black day on July 25.

“We are now implementing the points that were decided in the APC. We are fighting for the people and not to be in the government,” he added.

However, the meeting failed to reach a consensus on the replacement for Sanjrani as Durrani said that a name will be announced on July 11 after further deliberations.

“We condemn the arrest of Rana Sanaullah and demand the production orders of two members of the National Assembly from erstwhile tribal areas,” Durrani added.

The government has cleared Prime Minister’s tsunami tree project at a cost of Rs125 billion ignoring recently enacted Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) that binds authorities to approve only those development schemes that are financially viable.