ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif issued a stern warning on Wednesday, stating that strict action would be taken against those considered “enemies of the state.” He criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for the widespread violence that engulfed the country following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case.
In a televised address to the nation on Wednesday, the prime minister strongly condemned the actions of PTI workers, labeling their behavior as “unforgivable crimes.”
The Prime Minister said that “terrorists and elements who are enemies of the state” should desist from their “anti-state activities”, warning that the miscreants would be dealt with an iron hand and would be given exemplary punishment.
He said that the protection of the state and ideology of Pakistan was more precious, and no one would be allowed to conspire against it.
He said that damaging public property was an act of terrorism.
PM Shehbaz criticizes Imran Khan
Criticizing former prime minister Imran Khan, he said that federal ministers used to air details of cases against political opponents during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and Imran Khan used to predict arrests.
PM Shehbaz said that the previous PTI government did not forgive only political opponents but their families as well. In the past four years, cases were decided on favouritism. The ministers would announce the arrest of any opposition leader, and he would be arrested the next day.
Pakistan’s political history had been very bitter, he said.
He said that vindictive actions in politics did not ever produce positive results. We should learn from the past lessons now, as the blind practice of political victimization badly affected the development of Pakistan.
The PM said that the leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are still facing National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases. “We faced law despite our serious concerns”, he added.
Prime Minister Sharif said that he did not follow the path of victimization adopted by the PTI government and tried his best to restart the journey to progress and prosperity of the country.
