PTI’s venue, govt’s party, everyone’s invited!

• Information minister says govt will invite Imran Khan, other political bigwigs for D-Chowk’s Independence Day function “which was decided a year ago”
• Pervaiz Rashid says participation from all parties will show that entire nation is united under Pakistan’s flag
• Says participants would be free to do as they pleased and there would be no restrictions on their movements after the celebrations
• Says Nawaz not taken onboard on Musharraf deal, media twisted Gilani’s statement

LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government has announced that it would organise Independence Day celebrations at the federal capital’s D-Chowk on August 14, saying it had made up its mind to hold such an event “almost a year ago” when it came into power. Interestingly, it is the same venue which the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has already announced for holding its ‘Azadi March’ and anti-rigging rally on the same day.

Addressing reporters, Minister for Information Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that all political leaders, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Pakistan People’s Party’s Asif Zardari, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq, National Party’s Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan and Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman, would be invited to take part in the Independence Day celebrations on August 14 at D-Chowk.

The information minister remarked that organising a rally at D-Chowk, where the prime minister, ministers as well as the civil society sing the national anthem together, has been a tradition of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

“When PML-N came into power last year, the government made the decision to start this tradition again, which will be implemented,” Rashid said. “This was a proud and beautiful occasion that we used to keep on our most important national day,” he added.

“Only one flag will be raised on August 14 – Pakistan’s flag – as this day is for Pakistanis and not for any particular political party,” Rashid commented.

Rashid said that after attending Independence Day celebrations, the participants would be free to do as they pleased and there would be no restrictions on their movements.

The minister alleged that Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and PTI’s Khan were “experts in changing stances”. He said Qadri would not succeed in sending the state executives packing and the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) government would complete its mandated term.

Referring to Qadri, Rashid claimed that no one could hoodwink the nation in the name of revolution and those raising the slogan of revolution would go back to Canada soon, leaving behind followers.

Without naming the Chaudhry brothers, the minister said the nation was fully aware of the credentials of those who were now with Qadri.

PML-N NOT A PART OF MUSHARRAF DEAL:

Replying to a question, the minister said PML-N was not a part of the agreement allegedly made between the Establishment and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) over allowing safe passage to former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf.

“Gilani’s statement regarding a deal with Musharraf was wrongly quoted in the media. He did not say that Nawaz was taken onboard on Musharraf’s issue,” he said, adding that Zardari had discussed Musharraf’s issue during the Bhurban meeting.

“PML-N did not kidnap Musharraf nor handcuffed or deported him from the country. Musharraf’s case is before the courts and they will decide his fate,” he said.

The minister said that against PPP’s desire, PML-N had refused to validate Musharraf’s unconstitutional steps. He reiterated that PML-N was not in favour to give a safe passage to Musharraf.

DARE NOT CHALLENGE ARMY’S POWERS:

On issue of Article 245, the minister said that the authority given to the army was in line with the Constitution. He said it was government’s duty to provide all the necessary equipment to the armed forces to perform their duty. He added that the army was fighting war against terror and criticism on authorising the army by Article 245 was tantamount to supporting terrorists.