LAHORE: Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah generated controversy when he passed unsavoury remarks about the women participants in Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) Sunday rally and calling PTI chief Imran Khan the “agent of agencies”.

While talking to reporters outside the Punjab Assembly, Sanaullah made some inappropriate comments about the women attending PTI’s rally. He also lashed out at the PTI chairman, saying: “Imran Khan is the agent of agencies and he has proved it (in the past).”

The PTI condemned the law minister’s remarks and sought an apology from him. “I am short of words to condemn Rana Sanaullah’s statement disrespecting women political workers. The PML-N is turning into a gutter (sic) group,” PTI Information Secretary Fawad Chaudhry said in a tweet.

Later, the Punjab government chided Imran Khan for presenting his 11-point agenda, saying it was already mentioned in the Constitution.

Punjab government spokesman Malik Ahmad Khan and provincial minister Zaeem Qadri in a press conference questioned Imran Khan’s performance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The spokesman asked what steps Mr Khan had taken for uniform syllabus in KP during the last five years. “Who funded this huge rally at the Greater Iqbal Park?” he asked.

Qadri claimed that Imran Khan’s 11-point agenda was also part of the PML-N’s manifesto in the 2013 general elections.

Meanwhile, Awami Muslim League President Sheikh Rashid on Monday called on PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Husain at his residence. Salik Hussain was also present on the occasion.

During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged views about the political situation of the country. Chaudhry Shujaat said Pir Pagara was making efforts to bring all Muslim Leaguers on one platform. “He will certainly succeed in his efforts. I have also invited all likeminded parties and people to join hands under the banner of Muslim League for the betterment of the country,” he added.

Sheikh Rashid criticised the PML-N for targeting the Supreme Court, saying the party wanted a clash among institutions.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2018