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ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid in a statement released on Saturday said that senior cabinet member and minister for climate change, Senator Mushahidullah Khan has sent his resignation to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
An official from the PM Office confirmed to DAWN that the government has received his resignation, but it will be processed on Monday due to public holidays.
The senator had earlier given an interview to the BBC in which he had alleged that the former director general of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) wanted to overthrow the country's civil and military leadership.
Mushahidullah Khan has been summoned back from his trip to the Maldives on an immediate basis, in the wake of his recent statements he made in an interview with BBC, sources at the PM Secretariat told Dawn. The minister is currently on a three day official visit to the Maldives.
Read: Nawaz seeks explanation from Mushahidullah over BBC interview
The sources added that the prime minister would decide on the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz senator's resignation after his arrival.
According to the statement, Mushahidullah will also present his resignation to the premier in person once he returns to Pakistan.
Earlier today, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar pressed on the premier to take a clear stance and appropriate action in wake of the allegations levelled by Mushahidullah Khan against former ISI chief Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam Abbasi.
Earlier on Friday, the prime minister had sought an explanation from the senator, over an interview the latter gave to BBC Urdu, in which he alleged that former ISI chief Lt. Gen Zaheerul Islam Abbasi wanted to overthrow Pakistan’s civil and military leadership during last year’s sit-ins by the PTI and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).
Taking notice of the minister’s statements, the PM House had also issued a news release, asking Mushahidullah Khan to explain his remarks. The release also said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has never heard such an audio tape, nor is he aware of its existence.
Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asim Bajwa had also said late on Friday night in a tweet that “the story about any tape recording as being discussed in media is totally baseless, unfounded and farthest from the truth.”
Read more: Mushahidullah’s bombshell upsets PML-N’s apple cart
The chief of army's media wing went on to say that “such rumours are irresponsible and unprofessional.”
Meanwhile, Mushahidullah had downplayed his claims, saying that he had never heard the audio recording himself and was told about it by “other sources.” He said he had clarified in his interview that he had himself not heard any audio tape.
The senator said his interview with the BBC was almost a week old and questioned the motives behind releasing it on Independence Day. He said he had given the same explanation to the premier over a telephone call.
Comments (59) Closed
Scapegoat.
This is called dirty politics.
well he did tell the truth!!
I viewed his interview and found nothing which requires his resignation. But an inquiry is needed on the allegations and if found correct then those who were involved in this conspiracy should be punished according to law.
He is right that is why he has resigned.
Resignation as Minister or also resignation from senate ? Better both.
Asad Umar’s stance is vindicated. ISPR denies any conspiracy too. Good to see army and PM on the same page.
Good riddance.
If so many denials are coming out, then what he said must be true!
Somebody has to explain what happened during those dark days for democracy. Silencing a few voices don't help. PM was virtually immobilised and important visits by President of China had to be postponed. Situation was certainly abnormal.
Well!! We ALL can agree on one thing for sure......Pakistan is "A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma" to Quote The Winston Churchill. Who knows what the truth is? Sadly, it is also true......Who really cares (In Pakistan)?
It is very difficult to tell the truth, Good luck minister
why taking back his words now? isn't it a u turn others are blamed for?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with what Mushahidullah said. Godspeed to u Sir.
All drama. Good cop bad cop by Nawaz?
There is a Minister for Climate Change!! hahahahahaa..... a prime example of 'necessity is the mother of invention'.
this is how you get punished for speaking the truth. Poor Scapegoat
many times sitting govt. is sent back in the history of Pakistan. Everyone knows the power games.
So ik was just an actor of the dharna. The script writer, director and producer should come forth to calim their oscar awards.
A trip to the Maldives is nothing short of a vacation.
@Ali ... ... No. Just dead wood.
His remarks are self explanatory.
@Umer Kuttablis Well-said, agree 100%! Anyone with average IQ knows well that the leash on IK and his cousin was in the hands of some invisible power -- casually referred to by Amirul-PTI as "Umpire." Alas, civilian govt is too weak to look into the eyes of those invisible "umpires", and prefers to sacrifice a minister, who is only telling what is clear as day light!
@Ash .... He is not right. He is just close to the truth. He has no proof of anything.
Now everybody is going to forget this dictatorial behaviour of Nawaz because they always have IK to target and criticize.
PTI pressure !
Does govt have any reasonable/capable person? it seems all ministers have such loose mouth! but the punishment being applied selectively!
@Omer that's not going to happen.
All this stuff is already told by najam sethi in his program.
Sometimes Mushahidullah loose talks,sometime Zardari loose talks,sometimes Altaf Hussain says something and his Rabita Committee begins clarification sessions lasting for weeks.The people of Pakistan are bored,and in fact praying for fresh elections,with new regulations wherein the corrupt politicians should be completely prohibited to enter the election arena.All those politicians having the slightest blame of corruption must be barred from elections,otherwise the monster of corruption will injure our beloved country.
This is a conspiracy to malign Prime Minister and create a dangerous rift between Chief of the Army Staff and civilian government.Timing Action against criminal elements in FATA and Karachi.
@Omer He has stated quite clearly that this was based on Hearsay and nothing that he knew personall to be a fact. Spreading rumors and untruths without foundation is a punishable offence that goes beyond a resignation but to jail time. And thats a fact.
Good he had to go now Khuaja Asif should go!
why give the statement to bbc urdu. There so many tv channels in Pakistan. something is definitely fishy.
@pathanoo Mushahid said little new, though PTI is trying to raise a storm in a tea cup. Earlier Dawn itself had reported < http://www.dawn.com/news/1198281/nisar-rejects-rumours-about-conspiracy-in-army>
@akram Mushahid said little new, though PTI is trying to raise a storm in a tea cup. Earlier Dawn itself had reported < http://www.dawn.com/news/1198281/nisar-rejects-rumours-about-conspiracy-in-army>
Truth is dead. Another victory for Army. Long live Army.
We are even afraid of our shadows.
@ST agree "if so many denials are coming then it must be true" .plus asad umar's brothers allegation about other sitting general at that time has not been denied by any party .
Do you really believe he opened is mouth without Nawaz Permission ? Assad Umar is right PLMN is playing good cop bad cop!
Basically what he was doing was propaganda. He himself acknowledged that it was a 'sunee sunaee baat'. That's enough for a person to be a liar!
No place for free men in Pakistan, The only way to go up is be a conformist
This is the punishment for making accusations without verifying yourself. Islamic teachings prohibit us from such acts of spreading rumours. He should've named those who told him during the interview instead.
Sad resignation . . .
He will now join some other party and bad mouth PMLN. This is Pakistani politics.
A true patriot person. Sacrificing for the well being of his nation. I salute him for his bravery.
Old habits die hard.An exhibition of Union mentality.
resignation drama
Good decision.
Meanwhile, Mushahidullah had downplayed his claims, saying that he had never heard the audio recording himself and was told about it by “other sources.” He said he had clarified in his interview that he had himself not heard any audio tape
This is what PMLN is made of. He should be prosecuted for given false statement to foreign news channel
There is always a double game behind the political game.
He tried to get some cheap publicity. Unless he comes up with some proof to back up his allegations, he should be try in the court of law and punish accordingly. This kind of statement really damage Pakistan's image in the world. If there is truth in his statement, then Mr. Zaheer should be try in court.
After he resigns he should then come up with some proof.
Does not make sense. Why he had to resign?
Master of Lies! PMLN!
Half truth ! We need full truth !
Hé should have to resign.
this man got trapped into bbc's tactic journalism
how could dharna take so long if nothing was on its back? umpire's finger, what was that? Not sure about audio tape but anything else was definitely on the back.