ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Wednesday berated PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan for issuing defamatory statements against state institutions and said that "no one had the right to do so." Asif, while speaking during a joint press conference along with Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, said that the politicisation of institutions including the Pakitan Army was highly objectionable.

He added that Khan has often "used state institutions to build his own political narratives." Asif further stated that Khan first issues a controversial statement and later retracts it. "To save face, the former premier then camouflages his statements with excuses of context and merit."

Commenting on the matter of appointments made on merit in the army, the minister said that all appointments and promotions in Pakistan Army are based on worth and attributes. “Imran Khan should say if any appointments in the army weren’t done on merit,” he said, questioning Khan if he appointed anyone on merit including Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief ministers during his tenure.

The minister claimed that Khan’s own party had disowned him.“PTI members deny knowing anything when asked what Imran Khan said a day before,” he said, adding that whether a statement is good or bad, one has to comment or defend it as a party representative. Speaking regarding the Toshakhana Reference, Asif said that the government has sent recommendations and asked Khan to appear before the courts. “We have completed inquiry regarding the £180 million,” he said, adding that the former premier’s "corruption is under investigation" and that the matter has gone too far. For his part, Finmin Ismail criticised the PTI chief for bringing Pakistan to the brink of default. Miftah said that the coalition government was struggling to revive the country’s economy and restore electricity, and other development projects which remained halted during Khan’s tenure.

The finance minister termed the "unwise policies" of PTI’s government as the reason behind the hike in petroleum and electricity prices. During the presser, Miftah hinted that the inflation rate will slow down in the coming month. “The nation would have to bear the higher rates for one more month”, he said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 08 2022

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.