ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Monday compared Pakistan Democratic Movement to a “dead political elephant” and declared the politics of the opposition alliance died on August 15, the day Taliban took over Afghanistan.
“I will request them [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 [across the world],” the minister said while speaking to reporters.
When asked to comment on the latest wave of inflation and surging oil prices, he said: “Is there inflation [present in Pakistan]? Of course, it is.”
Ahmed said he was “not the minister” who denied the fact that inflation was prevalent in front of the camera and acknowledged in private but “you have to see that corona[virus happened] then there were instalments to be paid of [foreign] liabilities”.
The minister asserted no government wanted inflation to prevail during its tenure. Pakistan, he claimed, had been saved from sanctions under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s leadership, without further elaborating.
During the presser, he also announced a reduction in jail sentences of prisoners by three months on account of the Eid Milad un-Nabi festival.
“The Ministry of Interior is issuing a notification after the approval of the prime minister [and the] cabinet [whereby] all prisoners are being given a three-month relief [in their sentences].
Those prisoners who were convicted for any heinous crimes are not eligible for the time-off.”
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) had done “fantastic arrangements” for the Ashra-e-Shan-e-Rehmat-ul-Lil-Alameen.
He said the visa-on-arrival facility had been abolished for people arriving from Afghanistan and the applicants were shifted to an online mechanism. He added the visa fee was also being suspended till December 31 as a “goodwill gesture”.
“We are also issuing a five-year business visa,” he said.
Furthermore, the Integrated Border Management System would be rolled out to other areas as well including Badini and Ghulam Khan.
Ahmed also censured Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz for targeting state institutions.
“Maryam Nawaz is digging her own grave by making inappropriate comments about institutions,” the minister said.
He also warned that targeting institutions on the streets would have a long-lasting impact.
