Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday sought an explanation from senior cabinet member and minister for climate change, Mushahidullah Khan, over an interview the latter gave to BBC Urdu, in which he alleged that former Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam Abbasi wanted to overthrow Pakistan's civil and military leadership during last year's sit-ins by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek, according to private TV channel.
In his interview, Mushahidullah alleged that during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's meeting with army chief General Raheel Sharif on July 28, 2014, an audio tape was played in which Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam could be heard giving orders to ransack the PM House and spread chaos. The tape, claimed the federal minister, was obtained by officials of the civilian intelligence agency - Intelligence Bureau.
On hearing the audio tape, General Raheel summoned the ISI chief to the meeting and played the tape in front of him, said Mushahidullah. When Zaheerul Islam confirmed that the voice was his own, the army chief asked him to leave, claimed Mushahidullah in his interview with BBC. Taking notice of the minister's statements, the PM House issued a news release, asking Mushahidullah Khan to explain his remarks. The release also said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has never heard such an audio tape, nor is he aware of its existence.
Meanwhile, Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid said he had been with the prime minister during the dharna days last year, adding that he could state with assurance that "no such incident had taken place," referring to claims of the audio tape being played in Nawaz's meeting with General Raheel, TV channel added.