ISLAMABAD - Statements of Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar against Dr Asim Husain, pushed PML-N in hot waters, said one of the ruling party ministers.
In a news conference on last Monday Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar said that the PPP leader Dr Asim Hussain was backing irregularities in the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). While talking she went to an extent of saying that she offered assistance to Rangers in providing evidence of irregularities and corruption committed by Dr Asim who is Rangers custody for 90 days. Well-placed sources in PML-N confided to The Nation that the top tier of PML-N got frustrated with Tarar’s statements and continued to call her saying that the issue was not relevant. “Saira Afzal’s statements have strengthened doubt of Asif Ali Zardari who blamed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for reviving corruption charges against PPP politicians. We were not happy with our minister’s statement,” said the federal minister.
On Monday, the PPP co-chairman blamed PM Sharif for repeating politics of victimisation. Expressing restlessness over the arrest of key PPP leaders such as Dr Asim Hussain, Qasim Zia and inquiries against former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani and party leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Zardari said that the orders came from PM House.
In a damage control move, Federal Minister for Information Pervez Rashid sprang into action to convey to PPP that PML-N still sticks to Charter of Democracy (CoD) agreed between Premier Sharif and former Prime Minister late Benazir Bhutto. “We cannot risk our understanding with PPP at a time when PTI and other rival parties are hell bent on destabilising the sitting government. I received calls from various PPP politicians who complained against Saira Afzal’s statements against Dr Asim Hussain,” the minister added.
He maintained that controversial interview of former minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahidullah Khan had cost Premier Sharif much, adding Tarar’s statement put at risk their partnership with PPP.
Although PPP leaders across the country opened tirade against the government by taking the line of their party’s co-chairman, PML-N’s office-bearers were not provoked due to the instructions given by the top PML-N’s membership.