Forward bloc may emerge in PTI: Tarar

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar that there was a power struggle going on within the ranks of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that may lead to its disintegration or creation of a forward block.

Addressing a news conference on Monday, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar claimed the PTI is passing through a wear and tear process and added Gohar Khan says one thing and Sher Afzal says something else.

Some say they have to join MWM and others want to join the Sunni Ittehad Council. He advised the PTI to engage in positive politics and play its role in the Charter of Economy.

Criticising the PTI, he said sometimes they write to the IMF and sometimes ask the European Union to investigate the election process in Pakistan. If they had any complaint, they should knock on the door of the Election Commission of Pakistan or Election Tribunals, he said. He urged the PTI leaders to join mainstream politics and contribute to the nation-building process. “We need to create unity and consensus at the national political scenario”, he opined. He said on the one hand they were accusing the US of toppling the PTI government, and now they have hired lobbying firms in the United States. The minister said that American diplomat Donald Lu had called the PTI founder a certified liar .

Tarar said taxpayers will be given awards and added the government is focusing on reducing the burden of taxes on the poor and integrating the elite class into the tax net. He said action will be taken against the tax evaders.

“The government of Pakistan will, for the first time, give awards to businessmen who increase the tax volume,” he remarked. He said that in this regard, there would be a formal ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House soon.