KARACHI: Terming the anti-Ahmadi speech by Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law “irresponsible”, Prime Mini­ster Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday said that an explanation would be sought from retired Capt Mohammad Safdar over his remarks in the National Assembly.

In an interview with Meher Abbasi on the DawnNews programme News Eye, PM Abbasi said that neither he nor former prime minister Nawaz Sharif agreed with Capt Safdar’s views about the Ahmadi community.

In a charged speech on Tuesday, Mr Sharif’s son-in-law had used the floor of the lower house to attack the Ahmadi community, calling for a ban on their induction into government and military service.

Defending his cabinet members, PM Abbasi said that the cases against him had not affected Ishaq Dar’s performance in the least, adding that the latter would not resign from his post.

When asked why the PML-N did not ask Hassan and Hussain Nawaz to return and face the cases against them, the prime minister said that the two were independent to make their own decisions. But if push comes to shove, the government could write to Interpol to seek their custody, he said.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...