LAHORE: Information and Broadcasting Minister Pervaiz Rashid said on Sunday that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government would complete its tenure.
He was speaking to journalists at the Allama Iqbal International Airport. He said the demand for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation was unconstitutional as the party had the public’s mandate. Rashid said PML-N leaders had never instructed its activists to use unbecoming language for political opponents. On the other hand, he said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan was provoking the public by using foul language.
Rashid said he had encouraged his supporters to attack the parliament and a Pakistan Television building. He said the government had acted with restraint and had not prevented the sit-ins at Islamabad’s D-Chowk as political expression was a democratic right. Rashid said the PML-N had always directed its activists to avoid being discourteous to workers of other parties.
He said the PML-N had won hearts by love and not through mob politics. Rashid said talks with the PTI were being held in an amicable atmosphere till Khan unilaterally vetoed the process. He said this was done at the behest of Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed.
Rashid said Khan was misleading the public. He said he lacked popular support. Rashid said the government had always believed in resolving political crises through negotiation.
He advised Khan to avoid using violence to bring political change.
Rashid said the public had given its verdict in the last general elections by voting the PML-N into power.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2014.