Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Slams Opposition; Says, 'Aliens' Will Conduct General Elections
As general elections in Pakistan are approaching, the political atmosphere has started heating up. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi launched scathing attacks on the opposition.
Islamabad. May 6: As general elections in Pakistan are approaching, the political atmosphere has started heating up. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi launched scathing attack on the opposition. Taking a jibe at the oppposition, Abbasi said on Thursday that the next general elections would be conducted by “aliens”, not the caretaker government.
According to a report published in Dawn News, the Pakistan prime minister during an informal chat with journalists at a reception hosted by Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for members of the lower house, said, “Elections will be held by aliens, but even then we (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz) will participate in it.” Ousted Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif also used the word ‘alien’ in one of his remarks two days before Abbasi’s comment. Sharif said, “Our contest is not with Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan but with the aliens.”
According to the report, Abbasi said that consultation with Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah had almost been completed on the issue of a caretaker prime minister. He also confirmed that no former army officer was recommended for the post. Abbasi also expressed his displeasure for giving undue importance to the issue of a caretaker prime minister. According to Abbasi, a retired judge or bureaucrat or a politician could become a caretaker prime minister.
A person selected by the Pakistan general assembly would act as a caretaker Prime Minister for 60 days after the dissolution of the assemblies. The main aim is to conduct general elections transparently. The general elections are scheduled to take place in Pakistan before July 30.
While Abbasi while addressing a ceremony in Pakistan's Pasrur, Abbasi said that politicians must get the same amount of respect as judges, generals, and government officials, The Geo TV reported on Saturday. The Pakistan prime minister also condemned the disqualification foreign minister Khawaja Asif for having Iqama by the Islamabad high court. He said, "Politicians are in the front when it comes to running countries and solving problems." Earlier Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan had supported the decision of disqualification. The Pakistan Supreme Court had already disqualified Nawaz Sharif last year for having an 'Iqama' of working in the company of his sons and not declaring his "receivable salary".
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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 06, 2018 02:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).