Islamabad: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has ruled out any possible link between Sharifullah’s extradition and the Jaffar Express tragedy. Speaking exclusively to the private news channel in Sialkot, he said that the terrorists may object to the extradition of Sharifullah to the United States, but it has nothing to do with the train incident.
Khawaja Asif accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of using the Jaffar Express tragedy for political purposes, saying the party was doing propaganda. He also criticized the PTI founder for not condemning the incident, though he has been issuing letters, newspaper articles, and statements from jail, but remains silent on the national tragedy.
The Defence Minister further said that the conduct of the founder of PTI proves that he stands with the terrorists and his party’s ideology has become that “if not Khan, then not Pakistan.” He also alleged that the PTI had invited terrorists from Afghanistan for its power.
Speaking on PTI’s conditional participation in the All Parties Conference (APC), Khawaja Asif said the party’s demand that founder PTI be brought on the payroll is being considered by the government.
On the issue of U.S. travel restrictions, the defense minister said it would be an inappropriate decision and the government was taking the issue seriously. According to him, the issue will be resolved in the next week or ten days, and the government is trying not to impose any travel ban on Pakistan.