Opposition practically dead, poses no challenge to PM Imran Khan: Sheikh Rasheed

• It is a pity Fazlur Rehman's politics is not based on ground realities, says Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed.
• In a media talk in Islamabad, interior minister expresses belief that the Opposition poses no threat to PM Imran Khan.
• Says PML-N will stand exposed on the day Maryam Nawaz appears before the National Accountability Bureau.

ISLAMABAD: The Opposition is practically dead and the Pakistan Democratic Movement parties pose no challenge to Prime Minister Imran Khan, says Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed.

He expressed the belief that the Opposition leaderships are, in fact, the PM's facilitators.

The interior minister was speaking to the media in Islamabad on Wednesday. He quipped that if any journalist could tell him the names of the 11 PDM parties, he was willing to give him Rs500 in prize money.

Read more: Zardari, PDM's Fazlur Rehman agree to resolve differences together

There are only two-and-a-half parties in PDM, he said, explaining that one party is the PPP, another is PML-N and the half party is that of Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

"It is a pity that the politics of Maulana Fazlur Rehman is not based on ground realities and void of substance," Rasheed said.

On Maryam Nawaz's March 26 NAB hearing

Rasheed said PML-N will stand exposed on the day PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz appears before the National Accountability Bureau.

On March 26, the nation will witness how much public support they enjoy, he said.

PML-N, he said, is holding a power show in its very home town. "This power show is not against PM but their show of strength is against the PPP.”

Read more: PDM decision to postpone long march was wrong: PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah

Rasheed said no matter how hard the PML-N tries, PPP will never opt for en mass resignation.

He said Maryam had managed to secure bail from the Lahore High Court but is still calling people to the streets. "Leaders do not turn their supporters into human shields for their own defence, in fact, they brave the threats to safeguard the nation," he said.

Interior minister warns public of coronavirus threat

The interior minister reminded the nation of the coronavirus red alert for Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.

Read more: Pakistan's positivity ratio crosses 10% as third wave of COVID-19 grips country

He said he is not saying it to scare anyone, but that people need to be careful against the spread of infection at such mass gatherings.