ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has called leaders of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) a product of General Headquarters (GHQ) gate number four.
Talking to journalists in Islamabad today (Monday), the interior minister asked why the opposition leaders did not take the name of General Ziaul Haq when they talked about the alleged role of the army in politics.
“These leaders had polished Ziaul Haq’s shoes, they are the product of General Headquarters (GHQ) gate number four. Pakistan Army was with democracy, is with and will be with deocracy in future,” Rashid remarked.
The interior minister added that Pakistan Army was ‘not involved’ in political affairs of the country nor would it be in future. In response to a query regarding the opposition’s long march, the minister said, “There is a difference between a long march and lone march.”
“The government will decide on its response when the PDM announced the date for its long march. Imran Khan can take any decision. We have not held a meeting on how we will set up welcome camps for them,” he maintained.
Responding to a question about the possibility of a grand national dialogue, Sheikh Rashid said that the opposition had been ‘silent’ for two years because they thought something would come out but nothing happened.
“The opposition’s fight was more against the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) instead of Imran Khan”, he said, adding that all the opposition wanted was an end to the corruption cases against them.
Talking about the opposition’s decision to resign, the interior minister claimed that the opposition would eventually reconsider it. “Yesterday they said MNA Murtaza Javed Abbasi will give his resignation. You will see him say I did not send this.” Rashid added.
