Khawaja Asif says political differences should not destroy basic courtesies

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that political manoeuvring could carry a heavy price for those involved saying that if a “fixed game” is played by pushing tensions from one extreme to another the consequences will be borne by them rather than Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that political manoeuvring could carry a heavy price for those involved saying that if a “fixed game” is played by pushing tensions from one extreme to another the consequences will be borne by them rather than Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Speaking to a private television channel Asif said he had responded to Fazlur Rehman after the JUI-F leader made remarks about him. He stressed that political and ideological differences should not create such bitterness that people become unwilling to exchange even basic greetings.

The defence minister also said disagreements should be handled honestly adding that there should be no double standards in ideological disputes.

Commenting on the political atmosphere Asif accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of creating deep divisions during its four years in power. He said he had never participated in or been a supporter of what he described as fixed political games.

Asked about legal cases that have been opened the minister said he did not expect the government to withdraw them.

Asif also addressed allegations of corruption saying the problem existed across Pakistan and affected ordinary citizens in their daily lives. Referring to claims concerning corruption in Punjab he alleged that such statements were being used to create space for an alternative political arrangement and undermine the provincial government. He suggested that discrediting the administration could help certain groups present a new political team.

The minister further claimed that some wealthy investors had become politically active over the past eight to 10 months carrying what he described as “carpet bags”. He compared the situation to the period after the American Civil War when investors reportedly bought assets cheaply from people facing difficult circumstances.

Asif speculated that a new group was being organised ahead of the next general election, expected in two years. He said its supporters might believe that the current political generation was nearing retirement or would not contest the next polls while wealthy individuals around the age of 50 could be seeking to establish a new political platform.