Imran Khan must settle issues through talks: Pakistan minister

Islamabad, Dec 8: Pakistani minister Pervez Rashid on Sunday called on the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan to end his sit-in politics and move towards resolving issues through talks.

"Faisalabad will remain open tomorrow (Dec 8). Children will go to schools, and patients will go to hospitals," the minister said, according to a Dawn online report.

Imran Khan had announced plans to shut down major cities in Pakistan and subsequently the whole country in protest against alleged rigging in the 2013 general election.

He had urged traders to keep their businesses shut down in Faisalabad Dec 8, requesting citizens to sacrifice "one day to liberate themselves". "If anyone takes the law in his (own) hands, he will be dealt with according to the law," Rashid said.

Minister: Imran Khan has not provided any evidence of vote rigging

He further said that no negotiations would be held in an environment where insults are hurled out at opponents. The minister said that if Imran Khan cannot be a good politician, then he should at least try to be a good Pakistani citizen.

Imran Khan had said that his party would accept the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government if a judicial commission probe cleared last year's general election which he claims was rigged.

Pervez Rashid alleged that the PTI chairman himself was the biggest stumbling block regarding the appointment of a judicial commission.

He stated that Imran Khan had not provided any evidence of vote rigging.

"The international community declared the elections free and fair, but Imran Khan is pursuing the politics of discord and tribulation," Rashid said.

IANS