Fawad foresees govt downfall before May

ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry cast doubt on the longevity of the present government, foreseeing its potential downfall before May.

“In politics, there’s no guarantee of a full five-year term for governments,” remarked Chaudhry while conversing informally with journalists in a courtroom on Saturday. Highlighting the political significance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he emphasised its pivotal role in Pakistan’s formation, asserting that toppling the current government would be crucial for the province.

“If Maulana Fazlur Rehman decides to march, the government will be ousted,” he added.

Chaudhry also commented on Shehbaz Sharif’s call for reconciliation, terming it mere hypocrisy.

“Release the thousands of workers first, then talk about reconciliation,” he urged.

Labelling the current government as essentially PDM-2, he opined that even with a new administration, the country’s situation would remain stagnant, with the people on one side and the government on the other.

“Until Imran Khan and the Pakistan Tehreek Insaf are involved in the process, there won’t be any improvement,” he asserted. He said that they had been scared since the day Imran Khan said Article 6 would be applied to the election commission, adding that the legislation for Form 45 was initiated by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, and Imran Khan has stressed its importance.

He further claimed that the entire world, including Australia, America, and Britain, had raised questions about the recent elections, suggesting that they would be remembered akin to those during Ayub Khan’s era in 1965.

Meanwhile, the hearing of the fraud case against Fawad Chaudhry was adjourned by Judicial Magistrate Dr. Sohail Thahim until March 30, with arguments on the plea of acquittal scheduled for that date. During the hearing, Fawad Chaudhry’s lawyer, Qaiser Imam, appeared before the court.

Fawad Chaudhry was brought to court after the completion of his judicial remand, which was extended by the court. The court indicated that Fawad Chaudhry’s indictment would be filed at the next hearing.

The lawyer argued for Chaudhry’s acquittal, contending that no indictment could be filed in this case, and no section of the Pakistan Penal Code applied. The court instructed the lawyer to file the request and provide arguments, subsequently scheduling the next hearing for March 30.