Maulana Fazl should be tried for treason under Article 6: Imran

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that a treason case under Article 6 should be filed against JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman for conspiring to dislodge the democratically elected government.

Speaking informally to journalists in Islamabad on Friday, Imran Khan said “There should be an investigation into the Maulana’s statement that he (Fazl) had been asked to dislodge the government.”

The prime minister said “In my opinion a case should be filed against the Maulana under Article 6. Who gave the assurance to the Maulana should be exposed.”

Responding to a question, Imran said “I am not afraid of anyone. Only corrupt fear the military because intelligence agencies know who is doing what.”

He said “The Army knows that I am working hard and not a corrupt. I’m neither corrupt nor amassing wealth. The Army knows about my work and how much I go on leave. “

To another query, the prime minister said “The military and the government are on one page.”

He said intelligence agencies knew about the corruption of Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari. “That is why both keep conspiring against the military,” he added.

The prime minister stated that they had decided to change the election system and a draft regarding new election laws is ready. “We will bring in a law to conduct Senate elections by show of hands.”

The government, Imran said, will propose to carry out polling under compulsory electronic system and biometric voting.

Responding to a question, Imran said “There is a cartel active everywhere in the country controlling the prices. “The political mafia is afraid of going to jail,” he added.

Speaking about wheat flour and sugar crises, the prime minister said he had returned the preliminary inquiry report into both the crises with an objection. “The initial inquiry report does not have the names of Jahangir Tareen and Khusru Bakhtiyar,” he added.

He expressed the hope that the talks with the IMF will be successful especially the issue relating to the electricity rates which the government does not want to increase.

“The people would have forgotten the scale of price hike had they been impacted by the current account deficit issue. The government quickly brought this deficit under control.”

He said the Competition Commission of Pakistan has failed to play its role and its chairperson is still on her seat because of court’s stay order. “We have also identified the mafia active in PMDC,” he added.

To a question about differences in the ruling PTI, Imran said “Every political party in the world has difference of opinion. Look at the differences in our opposition parties whose leadership is out of the country.”

To a query about the issue of former finance minister Ishaq Dar’s house, the prime minister said “I cannot do anything because it was court’s order.”

 Opp flays Imran’s statement

The opposition parties in the National Assembly rejected PM Imran Khan’s statement that Maulana Fazlur Rahman should be tried under Article 6.

Speaking in the National Assembly session on Friday, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said “I’ve heard that the government has decided to try political workers under treason cases. It would be a below-the-belt move on the part of the government if it proceeds with it.

Khawaja Asif said what Imran Khan has been doing himself is ‘legal’ and if someone else does that it would be treason.

MNA Maulana Asad Mehmood, who is representing JUI-F in the lower house, said that PM Imran has turned the country into ‘occupied Pakistan’.