LAHORE: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday rejected reports of a meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, calling them unfounded rumours.
Speaking to reporters at Lahore’s Data Darbar, he dismissed rumours about Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Adiala Jail, saying “there is no truth in such talk”.
Remarkably, the foreign minister subtly hinted at the PML-N’s openness to holding talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying, “We are ready to work collectively with all political parties.”
No tension between PPP and PML-N
Dar also reaffirmed the government’s alliance with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), calling it a “partner in difficult times” and stressing that the PML-N would not abandon its allies in better days.
“We did not have the numbers without the PPP,” he said, adding, PPP has not demanded ministries.
Govt and establishment on same page
After Ishaq Dar strongly rejected the rumours about tense relations between the PPP and PML-N, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi echoed the same sentiment while speaking to the media in Sukkur.
He dismissed speculation regarding the removal of President Asif Ali Zardari, urging the public to refrain from paying attention to social media rumours.
“Avoid politics for the next two days and don’t take social media gossip seriously,” he said while responded to a question about Zardari’s status.
He added, “This is the first time politicians, the government, and the military establishment are on the same page. Some people are uncomfortable with this unity and are therefore spreading such rumours.”
‘Tremendous success‘ on economic front
Highlighting the government’s economic achievements, Dar credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s efforts for “tremendous success”, including bringing down the interest rate from 22 per cent to 11 per cent. “With progress comes higher per capita income,” he added.
Commenting on regional tensions, Dar claimed India initiated conflict against Pakistan, but the country’s armed forces responded by shooting down six Indian aircraft. “Pakistan defeated a far stronger enemy. We are proud of our armed forces,” he said.
He further said that Pakistan stood firmly by Iran in the face of Israeli aggression. “We not only condemned the attacks but extended diplomatic support to a brotherly Islamic country,” Dar noted, adding that Iran now understands that Pakistan is a true friend.
Dar also emphasised the spiritual significance of Sufi saints and said arrangements for the annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh had been made to facilitate visiting devotees.