LAHORE: Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood says how Asif Ali Zardari can launch a campaign against the government when he should be in jail.

Speaking to the media at the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday, he said Mr Zardari could not launch any anti-government drive because the PPP leader was facing multiple corruption cases and should be in jail instead.

Let former prime minister Nawaz Sharif return home and then the people would see whose legs would tremble, he remarked while answering a question. Referring to NAB (National Accountability Bureau) references against the PML-N leader, he wondered that Mr Sharif was unaware of deposits worth Rs16 billion in his bank account.

Responding to a query, Mr Mahmood, who had been appointed central Punjab president after dissolution of party organisations of the ruling PTI, said there was no progress with regard to reorganisation of the party though intra-party consultations were going on the matter. He said a final decision on the issue would be taken by party chairman Imran Khan.

He, however, said the party was making full preparations for the forthcoming local body polls.

Explaining the purpose behind his visit to the provincial assembly, the federal minister said he was here to discuss various political matters with the PML-Q, an ally of the ruling party. He sought to negate the impression that he was here to appease PML-Q leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and said he (Mr Elahi) was like his brother.

He said his meeting with the speaker was very congenial and announced that both the allies would jointly pitch strong candidates in the local polls. He said Mr Elahi had vast political experience and the polls would be contested with his consultation.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2021