RAWALPINDI: Former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Friday said politicians should be careful while talking about state institutions as Pakistan Army and judiciary are our strength and should not be made controversial.

Addressing a press conference at Lal Haveli, Mr Ahmed, who is the president of Awami Muslim League (AML), said he had no contact with the establishment.

“I am with [former prime minister] Imran Khan and after the no-confidence motion I have no contact with the establishment,” he said.

He said he supported Imran Khan’s statement that he was ready for talks with the government if a schedule for elections was announced.

“I am proud that the army chief received salute in the UK and it is an honour for the country,” he said.

About a picture of him lying on a hospital bed that went viral on social media recently, he said it was of the time when the Covid-19 pandemic was at its peak, adding: “Some people want Sheikh Rashid to die.”

Criticising the PML-N and its leadership, he said that they sold their self-respect for penny and there were 62 ministers and 17 of them did not have any department.

To a question, Mr Ahmed said he was happy that the value of the dollar was coming down, but poor people were still in trouble. He said the government of 13 political parties had failed to deliver.

“People are facing high prices of electricity and inflation has made it impossible for them to manage their kitchen budgets.”

“God save this country from destruction, people are committing suicide. There were 77 robbery incidents in my constituency and rich people are also committing crimes.”

He said borders were closed but people were entering the country. People in Rawalpindi city are receiving calls from terrorists. “In this situation, how will people do business,” he said.

He said the illness of Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif was fake. “The government has amended the NAB laws for its own interests. Nawaz Sharif’s politics has been buried due to the regime change plan,” he added.

The AML chief also announced to hold a public meeting and fireworks outside Lal Haveli on August 13.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2022