ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad told Pakistan Democratic Drive (PDM) chairman Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday that if the unified Opposition’s movement to depose Prime Minister Imran Khan destabilizes the country, he will have to “pay the price.”
“[The] Opposition should fear lest this no-confidence motion pushes the country towards destabilization,” Rasheed said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
Rasheed poked fun of Fazl, asking what type of remarks he was making about “batons dipped in oil” as a religious expert.
“What would be its effects? Are you taking the country towards anarchy?” he asked. He said that all of Fazl’s political allies would run away while he will be caught.
“The history of all these people [Opposition leaders] is that they play together. It is the tradition of PPP and PML-N that they put one hand on the sky and their feet on the ground,” Rasheed said.
The minister said that Fazl also used to do play politics in the same way, but it’s the first time he has become furious and playing the role of “maula jatt’.
“It’s a shame. You have huge respect as a religious leader but the language you are using is not highlighting the principles of Islam.
“If it causes civil war and anarchy in the country, you’ll have to pay for it.”
‘Everyone will be safeguarded.’
Furthermore, Rasheed stated that all members of Parliament will be protected prior to the vote on the motion of no-confidence.
He said he’ll ask the National Assembly speaker which day, out of March 28, 29, or 30, he’ll choose for the vote of no confidence, which must take place after March 27 according to the rules.
From March 20 to April 2, Rasheed told journalists that all members of Parliament will be safeguarded and that he is turning over the security of the federal capital to Rangers, police, and FC, giving them extraordinary powers.
In response to the recent event in Parliament Lodges, the minister stated that it is impossible for someone to bring their own militia to Parliament Lodges, which houses 260-270 households.
According to Rasheed, Pakistan’s law enforcement authorities are fully capable of dealing with any eventuality.
“If you take the law into your own hands, we will not spare you,” he warned.
PM Imran Khan would profit whether he loses or wins the vote of no confidence against him, according to Rasheed, because his popularity among the people has skyrocketed in the previous three weeks.
He stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan will be victorious because of the Almighty’s will.
He made a dig at the combined Opposition, saying that three months ago, when the government asked the PDM to postpone their lengthy march, they were dead set on marching to Islamabad on March 23; however, they have since changed their minds.
On Tuesday, the PDM chairman requested that all Opposition workers arrive in the federal capital on March 25 in the evening, saying that the Opposition did not “desire” for problems to emerge during the OIC foreign ministers’ visit to Pakistan.
On March 25, the PDM’s march, and March 27, the PTI’s public gathering, the interior minister promised that everyone would be safe.
He invited the opposition leaders to discuss the routes with DC Islamabad and cautioned that anyone who tries to take the law into their own hands will suffer harsh repercussions because the interior ministry is responsible for people’s safety and law and order, and “we will fulfill our duty.”
