Rana Sanaullah says govt open to releasing Bushra Bibi, Imran’s sisters

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that former prime minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi and his detained sisters could be released, adding that individuals detained in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could also be freed.

Speaking on HUM News programme “Faisla Aap Ka”, Sanaullah said the government had no intention of pursuing politically motivated or retaliatory action against anyone.

He also dismissed speculation about a possible change in the political setup, saying the government faced no threat and that there were no backdoor contacts with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

“Bushra Bibi and his sisters can be released. The release of detained individuals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also possible,” he said.

Sanaullah said there were no backdoor contacts with the PTI, although he acknowledged that some people had occasional informal interactions with members of the party.

No evidence presented in corruption allegations

Responding to remarks by Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain about alleged corruption in Punjab, Sanaullah said the minister himself had acknowledged that he had no evidence to support his claims.

Salik had alleged that corruption had filled cupboards, but, according to Sanaullah, had failed to provide evidence.

“Everyone has their own story. Chaudhry Salik also made a statement, but when he has no evidence, where does such information come from?” Sanaullah said, adding that such claims were likely based on hearsay.

He said allegations of corruption were frequently made against governments across all four provinces, adding that an atmosphere of rumour-mongering prevailed in the country.

Sanaullah said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had challenged Salik to prove even a single rupee of corruption.

He dismissed the federal minister as a political threat to the Punjab government, saying he posed no challenge to the provincial administration.

Defends Punjab government’s aircraft purchase

The prime minister’s adviser also defended the Punjab government’s purchase of an aircraft, saying it had been bought using the provincial government’s own funds and was now an asset of the government.

He said Maryam Nawaz had not purchased the aircraft for her personal use, adding that chief ministers of other provinces also had aircraft.

“Does Punjab not have a large enough budget to own an aircraft when other provinces have them?” he asked.

Sanaullah also referred to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s remarks about allegations of corruption in Sindh. He said Bilawal had described such allegations as propaganda and suggested that the Sindh chief minister write to the relevant institutions to seek an audit of the project in question.

He added that ignoring propaganda could sometimes be the better course of action.

No threat to government, says Sanaullah

Sanaullah rejected speculation about a possible new political arrangement, saying people were constantly seeking opportunities and keeping their CVs ready in the hope of becoming alternatives.

He said there was nothing wrong with aspiring to become a suitable alternative, but insisted that the government faced no threat.

He also dismissed reports about the creation of 12 provinces, saying the authority to establish new provinces rested with parliament.

Those reporting the proposed creation of 12 provinces, he said, had not explained where they had obtained the information. No minister had raised the matter in the cabinet, among colleagues or in parliament, he added.

Until such a proposal was brought before the appropriate forum, it remained a matter of speculation and debate, he said.

Govt not seeking confrontation with Maulana

Sanaullah said the government did not want to engage in any confrontation with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

He expressed the hope that Fazlur Rehman would support the new administrative arrangement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in its efforts to combat terrorism.

Sanaullah also rejected speculation about political manoeuvring within the government, saying reports of a new arrangement were largely fuelled by rumours and people seeking opportunities.