ISLAMABAD: Federal minister Mian Javed Latif on Wednesday warned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan of severe public reaction if he did not abandon his “systematic campaign” against state institutions.

He said there must not be multiple standards of accountability for different political parties and Imran Khan should also be made accountable for his baseless criticism against the institutions.

Addressing a press conference, Latif said, “Imran Khan used to say that he would not negotiate with us (PML-N & allies), and now he is offering talks under the compulsion of changed environment.” In case the situation had not changed, he would have been harping on the old mantra even today, he added.

Imran Khan, he said, was now seeking NROs (National Reconciliation Ordinance) from the government, the institutions and even from the United States.

The minister called for the constitution of a parliamentary commission to formally probe Imran Khan’s objectives of his “systematic campaign against the institutions”. The commission should also be tasked to scrutinise the shocking revelations of Javed Hashmi about the manipulation of results of the last general election, disclosures of retired Justice Shaukat Siddiqui and the video of the late Arshad Malik for sorting out the real motives of Imran Khan, he demanded.

He urged the Federal Shariat Court to take a suo moto notice of Imran Khan’s remarks “which negate Islamic teachings”. He also urged the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) to summon Imran on the matter.

He accused Imran Khan of promoting secularism and creating chaos in the country. The minister also played video clips of Imran Khan containing controversial remarks.

Answering a question, Latif said the nation would accord a rousing welcome to former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on his return from abroad.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.