Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Thursday criticised PTI Chairman Imran Khan saying that the "detestable face" of the former prime minister has been further exposed.
The statement was made during a press conference in Islamabad shortly after a major press briefing of the Inter-services Public Relations director general and Inter-services Intelligence DG in which the two military leaders spoke about the US cypher controversy and more.
"The detestable face of Imran Niazi has been exposed today. Imran Niazi made a drama out of the [US] cypher which has turned into a festering wound," Sanaullah said.
The minister said the politics of the PTI leader, whose heinous face was unmasked by the audio leaks, was aimed at mongering hate and dividing the nation.
"Democracy cannot move ahead in the presence of Khan's negative agenda," the interior minister said.
The interior minister said while speaking about Imran Khan's long march set to begin tomorrow (October 28), that the government will not allow the march to enter the Red Zone.
He said that the army will also be sought under the Article 245 of the Constitution and the participants of the march will be stopped at all the entry points into Islamabad.
The minister said that Khan has given the call for a rally in H-9 and G-9. However, the government will ascertain the party's intentions before giving permission for the rally, he added.
"We will ensure that the march is in accordance with the orders of the Supreme Court and high court," he said, adding that the PTI will be allowed to march if it fulfilled the requirements.
Moving on to journalist Arshad Sharif's murder, Sanaullah said that this matter was also like the US cypher as they (PTI) "have to play on it."
He said that Imran Khan would also be exposed on this matter.
The minister said that the threat alert for Arshad Sharif was issued by the KP govt, which would be investigated, adding that the alert was a hoax. The alert stated Taliban has plotted the journalist's murder, according to the minister.
"Arshad Sharif was then sent to Kenya afterwards," he said.
Sanaullah said that the cases against Arshad Sharif killing would be filed after the submission of the findings of the inquiry committee probing the case.
Saying that PTI needs a 'body' for the long march, Rana Sanaullah claimed that "on the face of it all the existing leads in the Arshad Sharif murder case point to Imran Khan and Salman Iqbal".
He said verified details about the ownership of the farmhouse, where Arshad Sharif was suspected to be staying in Kenya, would be received shortly.
The minister said the two-member joint investigation team was gathering intelligence about the Waqar and Khurram --two key characters in the late Arshad Sharif's Kenya ordeal. "Did Khurram inform Arshad Sharif's family first?" Sanaullah questioned.
Speaking about the rare appearance of DG ISI in a press conference flanked by DG ISPR, Sanaullah said the two clearly conveyed to the nation that the institution intended to work within its constitutional limits.
"The institution's decision to keep in its jurisdiction has made the nation witness regarding the army," the interior minister said.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, meanwhile, termed the explosive press conference by the ISI and ISPR director-generals "historic and unprecedented".
In a tweet posted as the press conference was under way, Bilawal said the transition of the establishment from a controversial to a constitutional role is vital for Pakistan's progress and prosperity.
“Press conference by DGISI & ISPR is unprecedented & historic. Institutional desire to transition must be encouraged,” the foreign minister said, adding that the institutional desire should be welcomed.