National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): Minister for Petroleum and Natural
Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said Imran Khan
has introduced a new culture of image tarnishing in politics
during his speeches to sit-in at D Chowk and public gatherings.
“How decent language he has been using at processions,
everybody knows. But Imran Khan forgets that a full-fledged book
can be written on his personal life. Therefore, politicians should
respect each other’s standing and self-respect,” he said talking
to a private news channel.
Dispelling the charges of corruption against the PML-N
leadership, the minister said, there are governments of different
political parties at provinces and there is general notion that
the KPK government is the most corrupt. “Let the people decide in
2018 elections that who had delivered to masses and who was
indulged in corruption.”
He said the provincial government even lacks decisive power
and this has happened repeatedly in oil and gas sector. The PTI
government instead of materializing the projects sponsors daylight
pilferage of gas.
Quoting an incident, he said, in an area the gas was being
pilfered from a high pressure line which the SNGPL disconnected,
but the DCO and DPO restored that connection. “We repeatedly
approached the Chief Minister even along with the Governor KPK but
to no action.”
Shahid Khaqan said, due to rampant corruption, PTI will not
be able to even win half of seats in the provincial assembly.
He said the PML-N government will fulfill its promises of
masses welfare and national development. “Today, there is
uninterrupted supply of gas to industry, CNG sector and domestic
consumers contrary to previous summer. Situation is improving and
we shall ensure supply in winter as well.”
About reference against Imran Khan, the minister said it is
right of the PML-N members. “If other parties can file references
against the PML-N leadership, then they also have a right to file
reference against Imran Khan.”
He said let the Election Commission decide on references
from both the sides. “The government has no fears of references.
It is performing its duties. Let opposition either wait for
decisions by legal forums or the 2018 elections.”
He said PML-N is still a popular party and this has been
manifested in the Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir elections
where PML-N secured two thirds majority.
He said everybody knows that the government in AJK was the
most corrupt and inefficient, therefore masses reposed confidence
in PML-N. “Election in AJK was fair and transparent and majority
of political parties have accepted the results.”
Answering another question, he said, only one point is yet
to be addressed in Panama papers ToR that accountability should
not be one person specific but it should be for all.
Shahid Khaqan said, the Election Commission members have
been selected with consensus. Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed
Ahmed Shah had discussed these names with other opposition
parties. So, now the opposition should wait the decision of newly
constituted Commission.
Commenting on change of Sindh Chief Minister, he welcomed
the step and said, the federal government will continue
cooperation with the new government as he mentioned to payment of
12% additional GDS to Sindh than the expected.
About planned agitation by the opposition, he said, the
government will deal with them politically by exercising its legal
and constitutional right.