70-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief hits out at “imported government”
Lahore:
In his first address to the nation on Saturday after being released from the custody of the anti-corruption body on the orders of the apex court, Pakistan’s ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan advised the powerful army to jump into politics and form its own political party to think big. Gave. ‘ to save the country from falling into complete anarchy.
Angered by the way the military establishment was bent on crushing his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Khan during his 8 pm address from his Zaman Park residence called on the military leadership to review its “anti-PTI policy”. Said to For the sake of Pakistan, saying that its steps have already brought the country to the brink of destruction. Despite being granted bail on Friday, Vijay Khan returned to his Lahore home on Saturday after locking himself inside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises for hours fearing re-arrest.
Before leaving for Lahore, the 70-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief hit out at the “imported government for kidnapping” despite being granted bail on all counts by the IHC.
Hitting out at Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry for his statement that he had called Khan a “hypocrite”, the PTI chief said, “Listen to me Mr. DG ISPR… you are here.” were not I was born when I was representing my country in the world and earning a good name for it. You should be ashamed of yourself for calling me a hypocrite and anti-army. He said the army’s media wing ISPR has never said such things (about the politician).
“You have jumped into politics. Why don’t you form your own party. Who gave you the right to level such frivolous allegations. Shame on you to say that no one else has harmed the army to that extent. Deliver as much as I did, and you will crush us,” Mr Khan said.
During his address, Khan asked whether the image of the Pakistan Army was good when he was the prime minister or now? He said, “People liked the army then. When an army chief (former General Qamar Javed Bajwa) backstabbed me and brought Pakistan’s most notorious and corrupt criminals to power, people started criticizing the army.” And it is not because of me but it is a criticism of the army.” The army is being targeted and criticized because of the actions of the army chief.”
Mr Khan further said that he is the recipient of most donations across the world as people trust him.
He further said, “You are saying that Imran Khan is lying. I have been given the most donations because they trust me and consider me an honest person. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has also declared me honest (Sadiq and Amin) has declared.”
Mr Khan, who was ousted from power through a no-confidence motion in April last year, further said that the main beneficiaries of the attack on military installations during a protest are (a reference to the army) and its established government. His arrest last Tuesday
“They have put the entire leadership of PTI in jails and arrested over 3,500 workers and filed more cases against me after the attack on state buildings by unknown persons. Government parties do not want elections because they know that they will be completely wiped out.” So he hatched a conspiracy (attack on military installations) and ran away from the election. Mr. Khan said that such action was taken in East Pakistan which his party is facing today. “Such actions have dire consequences. Though you (Army) will not listen to me, I advise you to think big. You should see where such actions are leading the country,” he said.
Mr Khan termed the judiciary as the only hope for Pakistan, asking judges to reject illegal orders of ‘operators’. He said that there has been unprecedented control over the media by the operators who have also imposed social media bans to curb free speech.
He appealed to journalists to follow their conscience and not be governed by fear being spread by the military establishment.
Mr Khan expressed apprehension that senior journalist Imran Riaz Khan who was abducted (by security agencies) may be severely tortured or killed.
He also lambasted the government for kidnapping another senior Odia political analyst, Maqbool Jan. Mr Khan demanded an inquiry by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial into the protests and vandalism that followed his arrest so that facts come to the fore.
He suspected that ‘handlers’ were also involved in the attack on the state establishment to achieve their cause, adding that his party had no history of indulging in violence.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)