ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif has said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership was pushing the country, which is already facing many challenges, towards destruction.
He said, “As you know, the currency is navigating through difficult times, and the challenges we inherited are contributing immensely to aggravating the situation. The last government violated an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, and we are trying to repair that.”
Imran Khan and his party are liars: PM Shehbaz Sharif
Addressing the federal cabinet, he said “Imran Khan and his party are liars.”
Referring to Khan’s claims regarding the United States conspiring to oust his government, the PM said that in more than one National Security Committee meeting, it was concluded that his allegations were false.
He questioned the court’s silence during the “political victimisation” of the PML-N and its leaders during the PTI tenure.
He asked, “Did they [the courts] ever take notice when we’re being sent to jail?”
PM Shehbaz lamented the violent protests that erupted following Imran’s arrest on May 9, saying that such scenes were not witnessed since the fall of Dhaka in 1973. The prime minister said May 9, after the debacle of December 16, 1971, was a painful day in the country’s history when Imran Khan’s party unleashed havoc by attacking national and military installations.
He recalled that even after the death of ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto protests had erupted, but no one “moved towards military installations”.
He recalled that despite the tragedy of the assassination of Pakistan Peoples Party leader Benazir Bhutto, his husband raised the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappay’, meaning ‘We want Pakistan’ as a great gesture of nationalism. Also, nobody hit the military installations even after the “judicial murder” of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, he added.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s proceedings on Khan’s arrest a day earlier, PM decried the relief the top court had extended to the former premier.
“When he [Khan] was presented in the supreme court yesterday, the CJP said it is good to see you,” the PM said. “And he said this in a case of corruption.”
Sharif recalled that at the time of the death of their mother, he was in prison but passed the time with patience rather than inciting the public for riots.
He said “Imran Khan was the mastermind and planner behind the attacks on military institutions”. He termed it a disgrace to the martyred military personnel who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.
He said the country was passing through a difficult time and the coalition government was making efforts to address the inherited challenges.
He lambasted the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to push the country toward the brink of a dangerous situation. He recalled that the PTI chief for months made false and shameless claims about his ouster from the rule through “regime change” by the United States.
Sharif said the coalition government made tireless efforts to mend relations with the U.S. in a diplomatic manner, while Imran Khan ultimately changed his stance against the U.S.
He pointed out that besides maneuvering the situation with International Monetary Fund, Khan made every effort for the country to be declared a default.
He said Imran Khan incurred every possible damage to the very fabric of society by promoting hatred and intolerance.
