PM backs foreign minister's 'in-house cleaning' statement

LONDON: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Monday that the foreign minister's remarks regarding 'in-house cleaning' are completely true and he agrees with the point of view that our own house needs to be cleaned first.

Former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had criticised Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif's remarks in which he said authorities should first fix the matters of their own “house”.

Speaking to Geo News, Abbasi said: "Pakistan has made clear its national policy to America. In the UN, Pakistan will tell the world about its role in the fight against terrorism."

He also said that the government is not satisfied with the ongoing accountability drive.

Abbasi said he has held one meeting with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif — who is in London these days — and is going to hold another today. "I have discussed in detail political and other issues [with Nawaz] in detail," he remarked.  

With regards to Sunday's victory of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate and the former premier's wife, Kulsoom Nawaz, in the NA-120 by-election, the prime minister said the result shows that the electorate trusts Nawaz's leadership. 

With regards to allegations of his role in the 'LNG case', he said "I am available. Everything will come out in the open in court". 

He added that Sheikh Rasheed's accusations [against him in the LNG case] will prove false. 

Prior to leaving for the US where he will attend the United Nations session, the prime minister held a hour long meeting with Nawaz Sharif. According to reports, PM Abbasi congratulated Nawaz Sharif on Kulsoom Nawaz's win in NA-120.