ISLAMABAD: Awami National Party (ANP) leader Haji Hidayatullah Khan revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif clarified his reasons for taking the army chief along on certain foreign visits, citing “strategic constraints” that required the Field Marshal’s presence.
According to Khan, the prime minister explained that “due to certain strategic limitations, he takes the Field Marshal along with him.” The ANP senator added that the premier also referred to the much-discussed photograph featuring himself, former US President Donald Trump, and the Field Marshal.
Shehbaz Sharif said that the minerals gift presented to the American president was personally purchased by the army chief from his own pocket, Khan stated. It had nothing to do with any domestic or foreign mineral deal.
Khan further shared that he immediately responded, saying, When I have the courage to criticise openly, I also have the courage to apologise for my mistake. If this picture has no link to any mineral deal from KP or Balochistan, I apologise.
The ANP leader emphasised that the mineral wealth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan belongs to the people of those provinces, and that they must be included in any development process. We are not against economic growth or progress.
Earlier this week, Dawn reported that the federal and provincial governments had withdrawn police and Federal Constabulary protection from Khan and his family following his fiery speech in the Senate, which was seen as critical of state institutions.
Meanwhile, ANP spokesperson Engineer Ehsanullah Khan said in a statement that the party president’s Senate address was an unconditional affirmation of parliamentary supremacy.
The ANP has always stood as a torch-bearer for the supremacy of parliament, he said, adding that Khan’s remarks made it clear that the government would ensure the constitutional rights of smaller provinces.
Ehsanullah reaffirmed the ANP’s respect for the national role of defence institutions, while underscoring that all institutions should function strictly within the bounds of the Constitution.