Pervaiz Rasheed relinquishes Information ministry amid news item probe

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rasheed has been removed from his position as the federal minister, ARY News reported.

The resignation or dismissal is the first after the controversial news story published in a leading daily newspaper, which is considered as a serious breach of national security. Sources said that the resignation has been sent to the Prime Minister, who will take the final decision.

The federal minister is the biggest casualities of the investigation into the national security breach. Musadiq Malik, the spokesman for the Prime Minister has said that Pervaiz Rasheed is responsible for the Newsgate.

READ MORE: ‘Under-investigation’ journalist flies to US

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also left for Dubai on Saturday. He left with his family on Flight No. PK-211. The minister’s sudden departure from the country has raised speculations that he will also submit his resignation.

Asif denied the news of his resignation and said on Twitter that he is in Dubai to attend a wedding and will return back to the country tomorrow.

Just arrived in Dubai with family to attend a wedding,will b back inshallah tmrw morning. ..😊

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) October 29, 2016

Several prominent leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz including Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Ishaq Dar, and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had meet Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Thursday.

They had brieded him on the progress of investigation and recommendations related to planted story. The meeting was also attended by Director General ISI General Rizwan Akhtar.

Principal Information Officer Rao Tahseen has also been reportedly removed from his position. It must be noted the the under-investigation journalist Cyril Almeida has also left for the United States.

 

Developing Story… To be updated