Cabinet reshuffles are common, Opposition's strategies came to naught: Shibli Faraz

ISLAMABAD: Information and Broadcasting Minister Senator Shibli Faraz said Monday that cabinet reshuffles were "common" and that the Opposition parties' recent anti-government strategies "came to naught".

Addressing a press briefing here in the federal capital, the minister noted that the Opposition leaders' appearances at various courts alongside their fans and supporters may encourage other inmates.

Faraz also spoke of one of the key Opposition leaders, PML-N's Maryam Nawaz, who he said was facing several cases from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) but was "threatening to pressurise" the anti-graft watchdog.

"This attitude is extremely dangerous," he said. "Maryam Nawaz's tone at the convention yesterday was disappointing. She sounded like a person devoid of intellect.

"Maryam Nawaz's threat yesterday was probably towards [PPP Co-chairperson] Asif Ali Zardari; it involved mentions of 'pulling out tongues' and 'cutting tongues'.

"There was use of words like 'will break your mouth' and 'will slap you' as well."

Criticism over 'gangs' with Opposition leaders

The federal minister accused the PML-N leader of inciting her party workers and others to violence ahead of her appearance at the NAB and that "under the guise of all this, they want to escape from the cases against them".

"Instead of responding to [allegations of] corruption, they are trying to attack the institution [NAB]," he said, condemning the threat to bring in "their gang" on March 26.

Faraz claimed that the Opposition leaders used such tactics to evade the law and that, by doing so, "weaken the law and institutions".

"Even those sitting in jails may be thinking that when they have to go to court, they should do so with their gang," he said. "But the PDM is over and their politics will also come to an end now," he added, referring to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the Opposition's anti-government campaign.

"No matter what they do, the government will not issue an NRO. The people of Pakistan want the rule of law and this country [operates] under the rule of law.

"The PTI government will not come under such pressure and no matter what they do, we will not be blackmailed. All the strategies of the Opposition came to naught."

Accountability 'not happening the way it should'

The minister further took a jibe at PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, saying he was "present for the rented crowd" and that "religious leaders are supporting a woman's illegal and immoral actions".

Speaking of Cabinet reshuffles, he said they were common. "Prime Minister Imran Khan will decide on the players' placement to achieve government goals," he added. "Prime Minister Imran Khan is in good health and he is doing his job."

He said he had "always been and will always be the spokesperson" for the ruling PTI, which he added was "the largest party in the Senate and National Assembly".

"We will now focus on legislation and reform. The government has no authority over the NAB and the courts; [however], accountability is not happening the way it should," he lamented.