Saad Rafique announces to avoid confrontation with judiciary
Model Town tragedy should never have happened, says railways minister Saad Rafique.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique on Sunday has paid his tribute to Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa for maiden Senate briefing and announced to not confront judiciary.
The federal minister addressed a ceremony organised in connection with his father Khawaja Rafique’s death anniversary in Lahore.
During his speech, he announced to not confront judiciary, a statement that contradicts Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif’s stance to lead a campaign against judiciary for an alleged wrongful ousting from premiership earlier this year.
He said that enemies of Pakistan would attempt to taken advantage of confrontations among state institutions and should be avoided.
Rafique observed that the way forward for Pakistan is through compassion and forgiveness among political fronts. He urged opposition leaders to avoid clashes however, he announced that PML-N would not budge against opposition.
He welcomed Army Chief’s visit to the Senate and briefing to the Whole Committee of the Senate. He said that narravtive weaved by General Bajwa for army is the same as the ruling PML-N.
The purpose that PML-N s activities had was sabotaged by then chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. He further said that bogus political fronts were formed only to be dissolved later.
While talking about Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Pakistan, Saad Rafique expressed his dissatisfaction with the treatment of the party. He said that political fronts need to be careful while inducting members.
He further said that the ministers who tendered their resignations over Khatm-e-Nabuwwat controversy had nothing to do with the matter.
Rafique on Model Town massacre and PAT chief
During his address, the railways minister urged Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) to avoid resorting to protests and sit-ins. He said that PAT chief should avoid agitation if he believes in the judiciary of Pakistan.
However, he admitted that Model Town tragedy should never have happened.
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He urged Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) among other opposition parties to not provoke Dr Qadri against the government as parties should not ‘cut down a tree that everyone has climbed on’.
He also said that he has had good terms with Dr Qadri and urged workers of the party to not chant slogans against the political party.
Rafique said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan is to be held responsible if premature elections are called. He said that democracy has been served blows in Pakistan in the past and this should stop.
The minister said that considering Pakistan’s past, political parties should resolve differences of opinions through table talks.
