PESHAWAR: Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that he has advised Prime Minister Imran Khan for early election. Addressing a news conference, the minister said,” I have advised PM Imran to called general election after budget.”
The minister said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) National Assembly member Jam Abdul Karim Bijar will be arrested on his arrival to Pakistan in Nazim Jokhio murder case. Bijar is accused of assassinating a political worker Nazim Jokhio but he has secured protective bail in the case. Sheikh Rashid said, “We will arrest Jam Abdul Karim on his arrival at Islamabad Airport. Today we will put his name in the exit control list and will also inform Interpol.”
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Sheikh Rashid warned of strict action if anyone tried to violate the law during the protests rallies ahead of no-confidence motion. According to the minister, “under Article 245 of the constitution, the government may call in the army but he hoped that the administration and police will keep the situation under control.” In response to a question, Sheikh Rashid said that “no one would be allowed to enter the red zone during the rallies, neither the administration will allow anyone to hold sit-in.”
Sheikh Rashid claimed that no-confidence motion has led to an increase in the popularity of Imran Khan. According to the federal interior minister, “he had advised the prime minister to declare governor Raj Sindh, but the advice was not accepted.”
“I have also advised the Prime Minister for early election. I have told him that we should move towards elections after the budget,” he said.
Referring to the PTI meeting in Islamabad on Sunday, Sheikh Rashid that he will lead the “biggest rally” from Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad district administration on Saturday filed a contempt of court petition against Jamiat Ulema-e-Islami Fazl (JUIF) for the possible sit-in on Srinagar Highway. The petition filed through Advocate General Islamabad stated that Supreme Court had declared that the administration has the power to decide venues for the political parties after looking into all matters. The petition added that in the light of court directions, no NOC was issued to JUI to hold rally on Kashmir highway, but according to the report of Special Branch, the party is planning to block the Highway.