ISLAMABAD: After action against Senator Pervaiz Rasheed for his alleged involvement in the ‘newsgate’, the sudden departure of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif from the country created many doubts, and the rumour mill went into overdrive, especially on the social media, forcing the government and the defence minister to clarify the situation. Sources told Daily Times that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had barred Khawaja Asif from travelling to Turkey on November 2, where he was invited to attend a security conference. Due to the current political situation, the premier had also ordered him to stay in the country, but Khawaja Asif reached Dubai on Saturday to attend a marriage in the family. The defence minister’s family members also accompanied him, after which rumours spread that he would not return to the country. However, Khawaja Asif said in a tweet that he would be back on Sunday.
