Why PM Shehbaz Sharif avoided key press conference?
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has not appeared in an important press conference yesterday which was later conducted by federal ministers.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has not appeared in an important press conference yesterday which was later conducted by federal ministers including Khawaja Asif, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Atta Tarar.
Sources told News360 that PM Shehbaz Sharif did not address the press conference over the advice of the coalition partner, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). They said that PPP requested PM Sharif not to address the press conference as they are taking a decision regarding senior leader Aitzaz Ahsan.
Sources said that PPP leadership is mulling to take action against Aitzaz Ahsan over his objectionable remarks. The premier accepted the request and the press conference was conducted by other federal ministers including Khawaja Asif, Marriyum Aurangzeb and others.
During the press conference, Khawaja Asif gave a statement that Ahsan would face the music over his statement just like Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Azam Swati. Asif also called Ahsan a ‘traitor’ in his press statement.
The minister, however, added that as far as taking the army chief’s name and involving him in the matter was concerned, some action will definitely be taken as the government wants to put an end to these things like criticising the institutions for political gains.
A few days ago, Aitzaz Ahsan had blamed the military establishment for the acquittal of the Sharif family in corruption cases.
In an obvious reference to Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, the senior lawyer said: “Bajwa sahib has rescued them (Sharif family) from conviction in cases and he has committed a big crime.” Barrister Ahsan was talking to the media persons at the Lahore High Court (LHC).
My Political Mentor Ch Aitzaz Ahsan pic.twitter.com/1tFXj6QP4i
— M _ AIJAZ 🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰 (@M_AijazMalikPTI) October 11, 2022
He said the cases against PM Shehbaz Sharif, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif were open-and-shut and their conviction was evident.
PTI Senator Azam Swati also faced the action of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for his tweet to criticise the army chief.
PTI Senator Azam Swati was arrested for allegedly tweeting a “highly obnoxious and intimidating message” against state institutions, including the army chief, according to a criminal complaint filed by the FIA. The tweet came after the acquittal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz in the money laundering case on Thursday.
Mr Bajwa congratulations to you and few with you . Your plan is really working and all criminals are getting free at cost of this country . With these thugs getting free You have legitimise corruption . How you predict now the future of this country ? pic.twitter.com/uZgHQjZ7lJ
— Senator Azam Khan Swati (@AzamKhanSwatiPk) October 12, 2022
Speaking to reporters outside a sessions court in Islamabad, the PTI leader said he was not arrested for breaking the law, violating the Constitution or fundamental rights. He said he was arrested for “taking one name — of Bajwa — and that is the violation”.
When asked who arrested him, he said it was the FIA. When pressed about what case, he alleged he was tortured by “agencies”. “A parliamentarian has been unclothed,” he said. “I am telling the nation.”
