Govt doesn’t want Musharraf to face long jail term: minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Monday said that the government did not want that former president Pervez Musharraf landed in jail for a long term, and that the issue of Article 6 would go to parliament.

In an interview to Geo News, the minister said the government was focusing on the main challenges being faced by the country and the Musharraf issue was not a part of them.

He said the Musharraf issue was sub judice and the court will decide about it, adding if the court permitted him to leave the country, the government will follow the decision.

Saad said the government had decided to bring the Independence Day celebrations from drawing rooms to the open. He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan should have avoided giving a message of division to the nation on the Independence Day.

The minister said important personalities, including Imran Khan, would be invited to the celebrations, adding that people would wave national flags to show unity instead of waving party flags.

On a question about the late announcement of celebrations, he said that no one could announce the Independence Day celebrations two months before the day.

Saad said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was not a friendly opposition but playing its role positively and with responsibility.

Commenting on the Model Town incident, the minister said that an independent judicial commission was probing the issue and all have to wait for the decision.

Replying to a question about the diversion of flight of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri, he said the decision was taken in the interest of the country as well as the PAT chief.

The minister clarified that there was no grouping in Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML N), adding that all the party was united under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Saad said as minister he ensured merit in the Pakistan Railways and stopped political interference. He said that fares of Railways were reduced while its income was increased.

He said steps were also taken to eliminate corruption from Railways. He said we are working on railway transportation of coal for the newly coal-fired power projects.

He said land of Railways was recovered from the illegal occupants through targeted operation. Twelve railways stations, including four in provincial capitals, would be made model stations, he added.