Army chief's appointment routine process: PM Shahbaz

ISLAMABAD: Terming the appointment of new army chief a routine process, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif Saturday said the government will appoint the new army chief as per the Constitutional procedure.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, PM Shahbaz said: “Appointment of new army chief is a Constitutional matter. It is a routine process that when an army chief completes his tenure, the government appoints a new COAS."

Expressing his delight over the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) decision, PM Shahbaz extended his heartiest congratulations to the nation over Pakistan’s exit from the grey list”

He maintained that Pakistan was pulled out from the FATF’s grey list through a "joint efforts".

Referring to the FATF’s decision and ECP’s verdict in Toshakhana reference disqualifying PTI Chairman Imran Khan, the prime minister said that Friday was a "lucky day".

‘Imran Khan is a certified thief’

Berating the PTI chair, PM Shahbaz said: “Imran Khan Niazi is a certified thief, embezzler and liar.” He maintained that Khan tried to divide the nation.

“He has been disqualified due to corruption," the premier said, claiming that Khan was made the prime minister through "rigging".

"His rhetoric about the judiciary is in front of everyone," the premier remarked.

‘No thief would be allowed to enter Islamabad'

Responding to a question, PM Shahbaz said democracy is not in danger, adding that the coalition government will continue to work as per the Constitution and the law.

To a question about PTI’s proposed long march, the PM said: “The law will take its course. No certified thief would be allowed to enter Islamabad.”

He reiterated that the general elections would be held in the country as per the schedule.

Replying to the trolls claiming ECP's decision was written on PML-N supreme Nawaz Sharif, PM Shahbaz said: “If the verdict against Khan was written on Nawaz's demand, then was the iqama verdicts against Nawaz written on Imran's demand?”

To initiate charter of economy, I have invited [the Opposition] several times on the National Assembly's floor, PM Shahbaz said, adding that they do not believe in political vengeance.

'A statue of lies and dishonesty'

Lashing out at the PTI chairman, PM Shahbaz called Khan “a statue of lies and dishonesty.” He accused the cricketer-turned-politician of making attempts to create political anarchy in the country.

The prime minister urged the masses to turn a deaf ear to the "certified thief".

To a question about higher electricity rates, the prime minister held the former PTI government responsible for the current power tariff. “Why did Khan not buy cheap gas in his tenure? questioned the prime minister.

Referring to the tough decisions taken by the coalition government, he said: “We put our politics at risk to save Pakistan.” He boosted that the Pakistani rupee was on an upward trajectory since the return of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.