Caretaker PM to be above board: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Friday said that general elections would be held on time in July this year and such caretaker prime minister would be brought who would have unblemished character and track record and no one could raise finger at him.

He said for caretaker prime minister, constitutional requirement would be fulfilled and opposition would be consulted in this regard.

He said that the issue of insult to Parliament should be referred to the standing committee concerned. He said that the parliamentary committees had all the powers and there was no need to enact separate law with regard to insult to Parliament.

The prime minister expressed these views during his interaction with senior journalists here on Friday.

Geo News anchorperson Hamid Mir and others media persons were present.

PM Spokesman and Special Assistant Dr Mussadik Mailk also attended the interaction.

The prime minister, during a very frank and candid discussion, dilated at length about over-all political situation of the country and issues pertaining to good governance.

About ever-increasing close relations between India and Israel, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that both countries had a common agenda of animosity with Pakistan as New Delhi and Tel Aviv shared the same mindset about Pakistan. The premier told the media persons that national security advisers of Pakistan and India continued to meet under Track-II policy and it was nothing new as under this policy, engagements with India were going on at the country level.

He said that either it was a matter of India or US, civil and military leadership were on the same page as the policy was always unanimous and all implemented it. He said that army is committed with democracy.

He said that political parties were advancing to contest elections and it was election environment which is causing uncertainty. However, he assured that projects under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would not get affected due to political instability as investment from China on these projects was going on without any hindrance.

The prime minister said that he did not see that the provincial assemblies of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan could be dissolved prematurely. He said that PPP stood by Parliament as its leaders had expressed solidarity with this institution a day earlier.

He said that even if a provincial assembly was dissolved, the Senate elections would remain unaffected.

He said that DawnLeaks issue had died down as there was no difference within the PML-N. He said that the next polls would see a contest between PML-N and PTI as the PML-N had started preparation for it.

He said that the government would introduce tax reforms next month and amnesty scheme would be its part as the people should bring their wealth in open and no inquiry would be initiated.

He said that tax culture would have to be promoted in the country but it was shocking that the wealthy did not pay taxes. He said that government had two options either to abolish the tax but the country could not sustain without taxes or the tax base should be widened. He said that tax deficit could not be overcome by increasing tax on petroleum products.

The prime minister said that it was sorrowful that crimes against children were increasing. He said that laws were very much there but it was required to implemented strictly.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that PIA privatisation was necessary as government was sustaining Rs120 million loss a day as PIA was running in Rs45 billion and Rs450 billion were its payables.

Earlier, Talking to Geo News, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that the politicians who had cursed Parliament had achieved nothing but undermining their own stature, urging them to retract their words and apologise else they would face public verdict in next elections.

The prime minister said such words had breached Parliament’s privilege that had the power to summon the perpetrators.

The prime minister said they, being the members of Parliament and leaders of political parties, had in fact cursed themselves.

He said those who were trying to justify such words citing unsatisfactory parliamentary performance had not in fact understood the parliamentary system.

He said almost 90 percent of the parliamentary work was carried out by the standing committees, not the Houses.

Regarding the case of Zainab, the prime minister said Punjab police were exploiting all-out resources and hoped that the culprit would be arrested till tomorrow as some DNA clue had been found.

He said the whole Punjab administration was very much on the case and had also carried out door-to-door search to nab the culprit who, according to the DNA samples, seemed to be a serial killer.

To a question about the killing of protesters against Zainab tragedy, the prime minister said it was yet to be ascertained as why the police opened fire.

He said neither the government had put Tahirul Qadri on exit control list (ECL), nor had any such consideration until a court ordered so, or the investigating agencies required the same.

Regarding Axact fake degrees scandal, the prime minister said it was a unique case and cyber crime was very difficult to be established.

To a question, the prime minister said the current government had carried out record development projects which had no precedent in history.

He said the incumbent government had the mandate till June 1, 2018. The government could only be removed through two methods either through vote of no confidence, or if the prime minister dissolved Parliament.

Regarding differences between PML-N leaders Pervaiz Rashid and Chaudhry Nisar Ali, the prime minister said the intra-party differences were nothing new and the members in the PML-N enjoyed freedom of speech.

Commenting on the Pak-US ties, the prime minister said from the beginning, Pakistan had very clear stance that had been conveyed to the US from every platform.

He said no country wanted peace in Afghanistan more than Pakistan that had been hosting three million refugees and was also ready to facilitate peace dialogue.

He said the US policy was not based on facts and that complete bilateral cooperation was going on for war against terrorism.

Asked about PML-N future political strategy, the prime minister said about the PML-N’s next candidate for premiership would be decided by the central executive committee after the party obtained majority in next elections.