ISLAMABAD: Minister for Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday criticized Chairman PTI for borrowing heavy loans during his four-year tenure.
The people are suffering from heavy loans taken by the last regime of PTI, he said while talking to a private television channel.
He said that the coalition government was taking all possible measures to provide maximum relief to the poor masses.
Commenting on the appointment of the army chief, he said Imran Khan was making the army chief’s appointment controversial adding that the selection of the army chief would be made after observing constitutional procedure.
He assured that the army chief would be selected on merit. In reply to a question about early elections, he said Imran Khan is well aware of his position regarding the election.
Khawaja Asif suggested that PTI Chairman should avoid demanding early elections due to unpopularity among the masses.
He added that the PTI Chief has lost popularity among people and should desist from contesting general elections.
PUNITIVE ACTION AGAINST IK FOR DAMAGING COUNTRY’S SECURITY, INTEGRITY
Earlier, Minister for Defence Kh Asif on Tuesday said the government was mulling over a punitive action against PTI chief Imran Khan for damaging national solidarity, security and integrity for his vested interests.
Talking to media outside the Parliament, the Defence Minister clarified that no one had the right to harm the country’s prestige and honour.
Khawaja Asif said, “Imran Khan has committed a crime against the state by damaging the country’s bilateral relations and national cohesion.”
He also brushed aside hearsay on the upcoming Chief of Army Staff (COAS)’s nomination and said there was no deadlock on the nomination of the COAS as the process did not start yet.
In response to media queries, he said, “The process for the appointment of new COAS will start from November 18-19 and the nominations will be shared by the Pakistan Army.”
Replying to another query, he rejected the possibility of any favourites among the nominees of a new COAS. “There is no favourite of the government.”
“How can a deadlock be created without even starting consultation process for the appointment of new COAS?” confident Kh Asif replied journalists questions about rumoured deadlock over the COAS name between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
Talking to the media outside Parliament House, he claimed consultations for the COAS appointment will be held after November 18 or 19.
He further clarified that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has no favourite name for the COAS appointment. Asif said that consultations will only be held on the shortlisted names forwarded to the federal government by the Pakistan Army.
“Pakistan Army has not yet sent the shortlisted names for the army chief’s appointment.”
The defence minister slammed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and said that legal action should be taken against the recent statements of Imran Khan. “Imran Khan is playing with national interest for his personal gains. Imran Khan is harming external ties by levelling allegations.”
A day earlier, the Defence Minister had said that appointment of next army chief is the prerogative of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and no consultation has taken place in this regard thus far.
