PML-N leader and federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal has spoken out against his party fellow Mian Javed Latif’s use of the “religion card” targetting PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Taking to Twitter, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal responded to Javed Latif’s press conference against the PTI Chief, in which he raised questions about Imran Khan’s faith. He advised Javed Latif to refrain from using the religion card even if Imran Khan does it.
While sharing a video clip of the conference, Ahsan Iqbal expressed his displeasure and added that he is someone who has faced violence due to hatred incited by exploiting people’s religious sentiments which is why he is against it.
Read more: After Javed Latif, Rana Sanaullah uses religion card to malign Imran Khan
Pertinent to mention that in 2018, a gunman belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) shot Ahsan Iqbal. Fortunately, the bullet struck Ahsan Iqbal in the right arm and he was able to fully recover.
“Javed Latif is my colleague but I will say politely if Imran is playing the religion card then we should not play on his wicket. He has to compete with politics, he has nothing to show. Stop the use of the religious card,” Ahsan Iqbal advised Javed Latif.
جاوید لطیف میرے ساتھی ہیں مگر ادب سے کہوں گا اگر عمران مذہب کارڈ کھیل رہا ہے تو ہمیں اسکی وکٹ پہ نہیں کھیلنا اسکا سیاست سے مقابلہ کرنا ہے اسکے پاس دکھانے کو کچھ نہیں۔میرے جسم میں نفرت کی گولی موجود ہے جو سیاست میں مخالفین کو نیچا دکھانےکیلئے مذہبی کارڈ کے استعمال سے روکتی ہے۔ https://t.co/osbYrs1Kw3
— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) September 15, 2022
Religion is a personal matter: Maryam Nawaz
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz also said she was against using religion for politics. While talking to the media in Islamabad today, Maryam Nawaz was questioned regarding Javed Latif’s comments.
Interestingly, Maryam Nawaz avoided directly commenting on Javed Latif’s comments but she said she was against using or involving religion in politics, or for personal interests.
“Using religion for your personal motives is very bad. I have suffered this and am a victim. Ahsan Iqbal received a bullet and they flung mud at Nawaz Sharif as well,” Maryam Nawaz said.
She turned the tables on Imran Khan for what she said was his “changing definitions” of religious terminologies. She alleged that Imran Khan used to frequent rallies and sit-ins where PML-N leaders were accused of disrespecting religion.
“I think religion is a personal matter … but it does not remain a personal matter when you say in rallies that ‘voting for PML-N is a sin and voting for me (Imran) is righteous and if my party members switch loyalties then it’s shirk’,” Maryam Nawaz said.
Read more: PTI to sue Maryam Nawaz for accusing Imran Khan of blasphemy