F.P. Report
KARACHI: Minister of Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sindh, Sharjeel Inam Memon, addressing a press conference today at the Archives Complex Clifton, said that throughout various times in Pakistan, several political leaders have been arrested, but none have ever staged such a violent protest as the one carried out by the PTI, which was celebrated by anti-state foreign forces.
He said that Asif Ali Zardari spent 12 years in jail under NAB on false charges. All of you witnessed the patience and dignity Asif Ali Zardari demonstrated at the time of his arrest. Ms. Faryal Talpur was arrested from the hospital on Eid night. Agha Siraj Durrani was arrested at 5:00 am from his hotel room in Islamabad, where he is still facing trial. Agha Siraj Durrani had officially gone to Islamabad to participate in a two-day conference. He is the Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, and if he was to be arrested, it could have been done in Karachi as well, but this was not done. Khurshid Shah and Ejaz Jakhrani were also arrested from their houses.
Memon said that I was arrested in the court premises; the media friends and cameras are witnesses to my arrest. To date, there isn’t a warrant of arrest regarding my arrest, but NAB wrote in its arrest memo that I was arrested outside the court premises. The media is a witness that this was a complete lie, but no one termed it as contempt of court. Imran Khan has to satisfy the courts and NAB in the Al Qadir case. Imran Khan was arrested because of his corruption, and he is not being targeted for political revenge.
Requesting the citizen’s information minister said that citizens are requested to open shops and businesses; the government will protect the people. Those who take the law into their hands will be dealt with strictly according to the law. Instead of spreading violence and unrest, you should clean up your act and not play with people’s lives. The accused involved in burning the buses worth crores of rupees yesterday will be arrested.
He said that yesterday everyone witnessed the opposition leader of PTI in the Sindh Assembly walking on the road, with a cloth covering his face and carrying a baton in his hand. Peaceful protest is everyone’s right, and the government will provide fields and facilities for peaceful protest, but strict action will be taken against those who block roads and commit arson. He said that if someone takes the law into their hands, the government will take strict action according to the law. Yesterday, PTI burned water board vehicles, burnt the buses of the People’s Bus Service, and destroyed the travel facility of thousands of citizens. Remember that these buses belong to the citizens of Karachi; they are not the property of Al-Qadir Trust. What harm did the citizens of Karachi do to you that you burnt their buses?
He said that the O-level and A-level exams have been postponed, to the detriment of our children, the students of Pakistan. The PTI chief is involved in harming not only the people but also the country. Yesterday, the Sindh Chief Minister gave instructions to clear the road but avoid any kind of collision. The Sindh Chief Minister showed his traditional wisdom. However, it should be noted that those involved in arson and damage to government property will be arrested. An FIR will be lodged against them, and no exceptions will be made for anyone. I was kept in jail for twenty-one months, but despite this cruelty and oppression, we patiently faced the trials, and our leadership never called for violent protests. But the spectacle that PTI created yesterday is unacceptable. Yesterday, across the country, PTI did something that has never happened in the history of Pakistan. Anti-national forces are celebrating by showing clips of yesterday’s events.
Provincial minister said that it is not a big thing to organize a protest; every party can protest, but no democratic party has ever staged such a violent protest. Our leadership has faced challenges, and tragically, our leader Ms. Benazir was assassinated. However, even in the face of these difficulties, we remained steadfast in our commitment to Pakistan. The People’s Party has always stood against institutions that it perceived as adversarial. However, we categorically deny any involvement in conspiracies against the country. He said that presently, Imran Khan is being treated with leniency, as the remand period granted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is only up to 14 days, unlike the potential 90-day remand. On the contrary, Imran Khan has utilized the same NAB rules to target and arrest his political opponents.
Today, we witness the consequences of corrupt practices, which are considered a divine intervention. However, we do not celebrate anyone’s arrest. Imran Khan has been detained based on allegations of corruption. He said that it is disheartening to see the persistence of double standards in our country, where some individuals are protected while others face walls of opposition.
The events that took place in Punjab yesterday are unlikely to bring any joy to any country. These actions are being exploited by forces that are hostile to Pakistan and its interests. If the PTI wishes to stage protests, appropriate venues and facilities will be provided. However, the Sindh government will not allow the disturbance of public peace on the streets.
Memon said that the democratic government of the Pakistan People’s Party endeavors to ensure that the People’s Bus Service reaches every corner of the city, providing affordable and comfortable transportation to all citizens, irrespective of their location. (PPI)
