Talal Chaudhry warns PTI against premature celebration

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has rejected the possibility of any political conspiracy, saying the government and state leadership remain firmly united.

Speaking on a television programme, Chaudhry said there was no room for any conspiracy as long as the Field Marshal and the prime minister remained on the same page.

He described the two leaders as straightforward and clear about their positions and objectives. He said they were not people who would act through deception or backstabbing.

Chaudhry also criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over its reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision concerning Imran Khan.

He said PTI had celebrated the verdict too quickly. According to him, the party should have waited before celebrating the decision.

The minister argued that PTI had previously rejected the 26th Constitutional Amendment, Parliament and the courts. He questioned how the party could now celebrate a decision issued by the judiciary.

Chaudhry also claimed that the Supreme Court’s decision contained several shortcomings. He said there were aspects that could still be improved.

He maintained that the government had no objection to prisoners receiving necessary facilities. However, he questioned PTI’s current position by referring to Imran Khan’s statements about prisoners when he was in government.

Chaudhry further said the state could not be forced to act according to someone’s demands. He reiterated that prison authorities and courts were responsible for arranging meetings with prisoners.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan defended the Supreme Court ruling.

Jan described the decision as a fair ruling by an independent judiciary and independent judges. He said the court had based its decision on Imran Khan’s medical report.

He said his government would honour the assurances given to the court. Jan also questioned the government’s objections to the verdict, saying the medical report used by the court was not prepared with any input from the provincial government.

Jan claimed that Imran Khan was extremely fit when he was arrested. He argued that the health problems now being discussed would not have developed if the PTI founder had not been kept in solitary confinement.

He also said PTI’s September 27 protest call remains unchanged.

According to Jan, the party leadership will now hold consultations. It will also discuss the next course of action with its coalition partners.

After those consultations, he said, the leadership will announce its future strategy to the public.

The federal government has meanwhile decided to challenge the Supreme Court’s order concerning Imran Khan’s medical treatment by filing a review petition.