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Islamabad [Pakistan], June 2 (ANI): Pakistan"s Minister of Defence Khawaja Asif has cited the recent remark by Nathan Porter, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Pakistan, as "meddling" in the country"s internal affairs, the Dawn reported. Porter in a statement on Tuesday had stated that the IMF hopes "a peaceful way forward is found in line with the Constitution and the rule of law", even though the IMF typically refrains from commenting on domestic politics due to the political drama taking place in Pakistan.

Aisha Ghaus Pasha, the minister of state for finance and revenue, also addressed the remark and urged the IMF Pakistan chief not to "interfere in politically domestic" matters, according to Dawn. Asif maintained this position when questioned about Porter"s remarks on Dawn News English. On being asked whether Defence Minister Asif believed Porter"s statement was tantamount to meddling in the country"s internal matters, Asif replied, "Yes, it is meddling in our internal affairs." In addition, Khawaja Asif responded, "Why do they close their eyes when something is happening somewhere, some location in the world where American interest is involved, but they don"t speak," when questioned about his thoughts on Nathan Porter discussing the current political developments in Pakistan. Khawaja further added that the country was facing a "precarious economic situation" and that a "very serious law and order situation" was created on May 9, Dawn reported.

On May 9, protests erupted countrywide in the wake of former prime minister Imran Khan"s arrest in a corruption case, during which several private and public properties, including military installations, were attacked. Government blames Imran was the attacks, but he has denied the allegations. "The state was threatened [on May 9] and a mutiny took place, which was unprecedented in the 75 years of our history," Asif said, adding that the measures being taken by the government were in line with the "crisis that perpetrated on the 9th of May". He maintained that the events of May 9 "demand that a special arrangement or dispensation be there to deal with the consequences of these events". When asked if placing curbs on the freedom of expression or freedom of speech was the right way of dealing with a political opponent, Asif said, "I will look at it from a different angle."