Lahore - Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said Saturday that Islamabad will not be shut down on November 2 but the politics of PTI Chairman Imran Khan will come to an end on that day.
The nation will see on that day a total downfall of politics of Imran Khan, the minister said while talking to media after distributing laptops among students under prime minister's scheme here at Government College University (GCU).
Ruling out possibility of lockdown of Islamabad on PTI call on November 2, Ahsan said a democratic system was fully in place in the country and ballot was the only way to bring a positive ‘change.’ Citing PML-N had secured enormous public mandate in all bye-elections, he said it spoke volumes of the public confidence in PML-N leadership and its government. "Those who lost people's trust in elections time and again are now hell bent on grabbing power forcefully," he added. To a question, he said prime minister could not be held accountable on the basis of any of the Panama allegations leveled by the opponents, asserting that Imran, who also owned offshore companies, must not become a judge to take decision on his own and declare anyone convicted on mere allegations.
If the PTI had any solid evidence, it must present it in the court of law, he added. Ahsan said Prime Minister Sharif always respected the judiciary and the Constitution, adding other political parties must show same spirit and let the court decide the matter. He said the matter was subjudice, therefore the politics of sit-in and protests tantamount to exerting undue pressure in this regard. He said attempts to cripple the government through force was not democracy but anarchy.
“PTI must take its reservations to the parliament and wait for the Supreme Court verdict,” he added.
Earlier addressing the laptops distribution ceremony, Federal Minister said ending of the energy crisis, restoration of peace and putting the country's economy on strong footings was agenda of the PML-N government. He stressed the need for abandoning the habit of politics for the sake of politics and focusing only on improving country's economic competitiveness in the world. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the gift of nature that offered great opportunities for every sector of economy, as it would make Pakistan centre of trade and commerce in the region of three billion population, he said.
Ahsan said the government took up work in critical areas and sectors which were pressing challenges in 2013, adding, "By the grace of God, it has made great progress. Today Pakistan has turned the tide on positive and upward trajectory and that is what has given them hope and inspiration for a better future".
“Three years ago, he said, the security situation was not good and terrorists were on the offensive. But today, the state is on the offensive and they (terrorists) are hiding and running to find refuge but they can't find any refuge,” he said. So the country is much more secure today than it was three years ago, he said, adding, "We will not rest until we make our country fully safe and secure in all respects".