TAXILA: Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan said the government would utilise all diplomatic and legal means to bring back PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his family members declared “absconder” and would try them on treason charges.

He was talking to newsmen after inaugurating a gas supply scheme near Wah on Monday.

The minister said the entire nation was standing by state institutions.

He said: “Nawaz Sharif is corrupt and absconded after requesting the government to allow him to leave the country for treatment and is now speaking against the institutions of the country.”

He warned that it would not be tolerated at any cost and such people would be sent to jail where no special facilities would be provided to them.

He said Nawaz Sharif’s recent statements were only to please the enemies of the country and a bid to damage the reputation of national institutions.

The minister said people who were conspiring against national security, stability and economy were enemies of the country and the government would not allow them to succeed in their mission.

“Nawaz Sharif’s attack on military leadership is in fact an attack on the state. A convicted proclaimed offender while illegally sitting in London is commenting on the armed forces of Pakistan, which are guarantors of peace and stability in the country,” he said.

He criticised the former prime minister for “selling India’s narrative” and speaking against state institutions.

“Our challenge is the country’s economy, inflation and unemployment but tackling these problems is difficult without political stability.”

Responding to a question, he said PIA was not on the privatisation list nor any of its department was being sold by the government.

He said the government had sacked 17 pilots for having fake degrees whereas 262 pilots were suspended after scrutinising their licences. He said 82 pilots were served show-cause notices for having bogus licences.

Earlier, addressing the gas inaugural ceremony, the minister said the PTI government had full understanding of issues faced by the poverty-stricken segments of society and was taking steps to improve their quality of life.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2020