Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan of spreading unrest across Pakistan, alleging that former DG ISI Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed was part of the conspiracy.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar stated that, “regardless of who it is—whether it’s Saqib or Nisar or anyone else—progress will be made following the arrest of General Faiz Hameed”.
Tarar asserted that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has always prioritised public service under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif.
He highlighted the party’s achievements, including initiating development projects, constructing the first motorway, expanding the motorway network, and facilitating investors. He also praised the Punjab government, under Sharif’s leadership, for providing electricity relief to consumers.
“Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has provided significant relief to electricity consumers in the province,” Tarar said. He added that the federal government has allocated Rs50 billion to assist electricity consumers and has reduced petroleum prices as part of its relief efforts.
Regarding arrests within the military, Tarar emphasised that the Pakistan Army has its own mechanism for self-accountability. He accused the PTI founder of fostering division and chaos in the country and conspiring against national integrity, with General Faiz allegedly involved in the plot.
“Who brought the terrorists back?” Tarar questioned, recalling that the founder chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had advocated for the return of the Taliban. “The army is conducting transparent investigations into its affairs,” he said, adding that all those involved were part of the PTI leader’s efforts to sow discord. “Those who harm the country’s peace meet this fate,” he remarked.
Tarar also mentioned that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has requested recommendations for right-sizing and downsizing government departments.
The Punjab government’s relief plan for exorbitant electricity bills has not met the expectations of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led governments in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as they rejected it as a futile attempt to subside the miseries of the inflation-hit masses.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif had announced the two-month power subsidy programme for the Punjab people a day ago which would be given to the consumers using up to 500 units in August and September bills.
