Fawad accuses Maryam Nawaz and PML-N social media wing of 'creating fake videos, audio clips'

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday accused PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz of "creating fake leaks", saying Maryam and PML-N's social media wing "make fake videos and audio clips". 

"Maryam's attitude has "always been negative", he said while addressing a press conference following a meeting of the federal cabinet.

The minister said there have been many such videos and "this is not the first time".

Furthermore, casting further aspersions on Maryam, he said that "perhaps Maryam Nawaz is also creating videos of her own party members to bring them under her control".

Chaudhry claimed that an audio clip attributed to former chief justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar "has been proved false".

"All the people involved in these games are right before us," he said.

An audio clip allegedly featuring Nisar was leaked online in which a man could be heard telling another person that Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz "would have to be punished to make space for Imran Khan in politics."

Talking about electronic voting machines (EVM), Chaudhry said the next elections should be held through EVMs and they would be held accordingly.

"The government will abide by whatever orders come from the court," Chaudhry said, adding that a committee has been formed regarding EVMs which will liaise with the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The PTI leader said the government would provide whatever help the Election Commission needs from the government regarding EVMs.

The minister added that the PML-N should be thankful to the incumbent government as "now Nawaz Sharif's sons will also be allowed to vote" in the next general elections.

On the rising inflation in the country, Chaudhry told the media that the price of sugar will come down to Rs85 per kg in the next fortnight.

"Unfortunately, prices of essential commodities in Karachi are much higher than the rest of the country," he lamented, adding that price of tomatoes, onions and garlic have come down.

Admitting that fuel and electricity prices had increased, Chaudhry said the rise could be accommodated since the prices of edibles had decreased.