ISLAMABAD: Following the PTI’s countrywide protests after chairman Imran Khan was disqualified in the Toshakhana reference, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Friday urged PML-N’s workers and the parliamentarians to hold peaceful rallies in their areas as a show of solidarity with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the interior minister said: “All people should step out [of their houses] in their respective constituencies to express solidarity with the ECP.”
Accusing Khan of "trying to divide the nation", Sanaullah said that it was the responsibility of every Pakistani and institution to identify and cope with the “fitna" (rabble-rouser).
Paying rich tribute to the ECP members for their "highly-anticipated verdict in the Toshakhana reference", Sanaullah said that a "thief who labelled others chorhas been finally caught today”.
He congratulated the nation over the verdict and thanked God for exposing the fitnabefore the public.
Further berating Khan, Sanaullah said that he was "carrying forward a foreign agenda."
Speaking on the occasion, the interior minister directed the inspector-general of Punjab and the chief secretary not to be obedient to “this thief”. He urged them to stand with the state "instead of thieves."
Referring to the countrywide protests, Sanaullah directed the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police to address the difficulties of the masses.
Sanaullah told PTI supporters to "calm down" amid the protests that broke out after the verdict's announcement.
"Do not add to the public's problem; do not punish them," he appealed to the protesters.
The interior minister added that so far, only Imran Khan Niazi was held accountable for [his misdeeds], while billions of rupees are yet to be accounted for.
"All the thieves sitting at Bani Gala have joined heads together," the minister said while pointing toward party members' frustration after the verdict.
Taking a jibe at Khan, Sanaullah added: "Who told you to steal the gifts of Toshakhana? You admitted the theft yourself and later claimed to have constructed a street with the acquired money."