KARACHI: Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill on Saturday claimed that after declaration of Prime Minister Imran Khan that Pakistan would “absolutely not” allow any bases and use of its territory to the United States for any sort of action inside Afghanistan, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was making efforts to appease and convince world powers that it was ready to serve their purpose if it was brought to power.

Speaking at a press conference here, he went on to claim that the upcoming visit of PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to the US was an attempt to “offer his services” and warned that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government would not let him succeed in his “conspiracy designs”, which could put the country’s sovereignty at stake.

Though there was no announcement of the PPP chairman’s scheduled visit to the US, the PM’s aide said that Mr Bhutto-Zardari was “miscalculating the situation” while making such efforts.

“As always, they [PPP and its leaders] are ready to offer any service,” he said. “They know they have lost public trust and can never come to power through votes. So they find it a best opportunity after PM Khan has categorical ruled out any support in terms of any bases and use of our territory. Now he [Mr Bhutto-Zardari] is going to the US where he would appease and convince his lords to bring us in the government, we would serve your purpose.”

The PM’s aide says only 13 drone attacks were carried out on Pakistani soil by US during Musharraf era

‘340 drone attacks during PPP rule’

In a bid to strengthen his claim, he referred to hundreds of drone attacks on Pakistani soil by the US forces between 2008 and 2013 — when the PPP was in power — and called it part of a deal between the PPP government and the US.

“They [PPP leaders] blamed Gen Musharraf for US drone strikes on Pakistani soil,” he said. “Has anyone asked them how many drone attacks were carried out during the Musharraf regime? You would wonder and it’s part of the record that the Americans carried out 13 drone attacks during the Musharraf era while the country suffered 340 drone attacks during the government between 2008 and 2013. And it was part of the deal which the PPP leadership struck with former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice for coming into power. The PPP is looking for another deal to achieve the same target.”

Dr Gill said that PM Khan wanted to bring the country on the path of progress and prosperity and was making every effort at the international level by making “bold” decisions.

He said that the “corrupt” PPP leaders after creating a great mess for their massive corrupt practices did not allow Leader of Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh to make a speech during the budget session.

“Haleem Adil Sheikh was not allowed to speak since PPP leaders were scared of his bold stance to expose their malpractices,” he said. “The federal government has taken strong notice of such illegal acts of the PPP and they would definitely face the consequences.”

He said Mr Sheikh was ready to face any inquiry. “Let me advise the PPP leaders and their ministers, don’t threat NAB [National Accountability Bureau]. You can’t hide your incompetence and corruption through such baseless statements and threats,” he said.

The press conference was held at the residence of Mr Sheikh.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2021