Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has emphasized the need for the PML-N-led coalition government to “remain alert” as rival PTI leaders are expecting snap polls and the ouster of the current rulers later this year.
However, the PM’s aide clarified that the government is not afraid of losing power as claimed by PTI, but is also not dismissive of the situation or its possibilities.
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This statement was made during the Geo News show ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath,’ in response to a question about recent statements by PTI leaders suggesting the former ruling party’s return to power.
Earlier in the day, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan conveyed the message from the incarcerated party founder, Imran Khan, that the nation should “prepare for new elections.”
PTI leader Asad Qaiser has also expressed optimism about improving conditions for the embattled party and its position to form a government in December.
“There is no importance to such statements. But we can see that some things are being done,” said the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader.
He added, “They [PTI] may state things differently in the press conference, but we know what is going on.”
Sanaullah mentioned that PTI leadership has been claiming in private meetings that Imran Khan informed them of a deal being reached and that party workers should prepare for new elections in November.
“If attempts are made to turn the Supreme Court, its decisions, Constitution, and rule of law in favor of one party, then the outcome would not be good at all,” he added.
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Sanaullah said the current situation is reminiscent of 2014 when Khan plotted to oust then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Referring to the PTI leaders’ statements about the government’s ouster and new elections later this year, the PM’s aide urged the government to “remain alert and manage things accordingly.”
“We are neither criticizing nor fearful, but we’ll see later the amount of truth in this,” he said.
Sanaullah maintained that the former ruling party is misjudging the situation based on recent favorable verdicts from the courts and stated it could not be said with certainty whether PTI would achieve its desired outcome or not.
“But we are sure that it won’t happen,” he added.
When asked about the government’s inability to keep Khan behind bars despite the relief he has been getting from the courts, the minister said the deposed prime minister has ruled out the possibility of sitting with his foes to work out matters, “so no one can predict who will get the favorable results.”