Jhelum: Information and Broadcasting Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Saturday said that Maryam Nawaz and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari do not have the political stature to become national leaders as the country cannot be handed over to "political novices".
Talking to reporters, the Information Minister took a jibe at him and advised him to first contest for the mayor of his provincial capitals - Bilawal in Karachi and Mariam in Lahore.
Fawad said that Pakistan is a great country so it needs great leaders.
"The leadership of this great country cannot be handed over to gullible people like Bilawal and Maryam Nawaz," the minister said.
He added that since Bilawal "is not competent enough to contest the general elections, he may try his luck in the Karachi mayoral election".
"Both Maryam and Bilawal should try to climb the ladder of their political careers," Fawad said. "Maryam does not have the stature to call herself a national leader," he said.
"Their [street power] depends only on the students of Maulana Fazlur Rehman's madrasas," he said.
Criticizing the opposition, the minister said it was defeated in the Senate despite the PML-N and PPP "enjoying the so-called majority there".
He further said that the opposition has "no policy to follow" as they talk about something else in the House and present a different story when they are out.
As far as PTI is concerned, we have no political opponents, we are accountable to our voters, so the voters of PTI will decide our policy.
PTI's resolve to fight extremism
Fawad also highlighted several other issues and reiterated the PTI-led government's resolve to "finish all forms of extremist elements from the country to ensure lasting peace".
He further said that the country's security institutions, with the support of the nation, are "ready to deal with the separatist elements."
"Extremism of any kind including religious extremism is condemnable and media should play its positive role in this regard," the minister stressed.
PM's China Visit and Economy
Regarding Prime Minister Imran Khan's upcoming visit to China, he said the visit would help "strengthen economic ties with the friendly and time-tested country."
The minister said that two more foreign visits of Prime Minister Imran Khan are scheduled during the current year, which will improve Pakistan's importance at the international level.
Regarding the country's economy, Fawad said that despite various challenges, our economy is on the right track and the current year will bring more good news from the economic front.
"Our industry is thriving and the agriculture sector has also seen a boom after a long period," he said.
On the rejection of Nawaz Sharif's petition by the UK
Welcoming the British decision to reject the visa application of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, he said, "No stone will be left unturned to bring back the country's looted money."
“The government will not back down from this agenda of accountability at any cost.