PM not related to decisions on arrests of those being probed: Chaudhry

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Web Desk
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Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry outside Parliament on October 17, 2018  

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Fawad Chauhdry on Wednesday said Prime Minister Imran Khan is not connected to decisions on arrests of those who are facing corruption references.

"If a reference is under way against someone, then the premier has nothing to do with the decision regarding whether to arrest that person or not," Chauhdry said while addressing the media outside the Parliament ahead of a session over Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif’s arrest.

Commenting on criticism of the premier's remarks regarding more arrests, the information minister said, "The premier had said 50 people should be in jail and those 50 people are the ones creating noise."

Regarding the NA session, Chauhdry said, "We are ready for a debate on accountability. However, Opposition should not make noise at Shehbaz Sharif's arrival in Parliament."

Further, lashing out at Opposition members, Chaudhry said, "No one has the standing to conspire against the government. The government is strong and stable."

"Those who used official funds for elections campaign should not pass comments against us," he added.

Chaudhry reiterated, "We can talk about transparency but the process of accountability will continue despite protests."

"The accountability process poses no threat to democracy," he stressed.

Further, he said, "Instead of making noise against institutions created by you [opposition parties], talk about how to make the accountability process further transparent."

"There should be no leniency towards those who brought Pakistan to where it is today," he added.

He also said, "Just like there is a commission to probe rigging in the election there can be a commission on accountability."

Chaudhry continued, "Our government launched the country's largest housing project and introduced health cards. In the past, no government thought about making houses for the homeless."