ISLAMABAD, Sep 12(ABC): Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday said that the general elections will not be held as per the demands of PTI Chairman Imran Khan but the country will go to polls at its designated time in 2023.
The defence minister maintained that Khan’s strategy was all about “destroying the establishment”, adding that since the no-confidence motion to oust him from power has become successful, he “wants the establishment to support him”.
Asif went on to say that the general elections in the country will not be held as per Khan’s demands but at the scheduled time, i.e. in 2023.
Speaking about the matter of Khan’s arrest, the defence minister said that it was a legal matter, therefore, all cases should be conducted in accordance with the law.
The minister also said that today, the entire world, as well as the Pakistani judiciary, is acknowledging that Nawaz Sharif was subjected to “unjust treatment.”
Last Sunday, Khan — while addressing his party’s supporters in Faisalabad — slammed the coalition government for stalling the elections, saying that the delay was being done to “appoint an army chief of their own choice.”
Khan further said that the government had only come to power to “end corruption cases against itself”, adding that only free and fair elections can ensure political stability in Pakistan.
Khan’s comment had drawn the ire of the government as well as the military while also receiving criticism from the judiciary. A day after he issued his remarks, the Pakistani Army expressed displeasure over Khan’s statement against the military and said it was “aghast” over it.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement, said that “regrettably, an attempt was made to discredit and undermine the senior leadership of the army at a time when the institution was laying lives for the “security and safety of the people every day”.
On the other hand, the ruling coalition had castigated the PTI chairman for his remarks at the Faisalabad jalsa.