LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan lashed out at his political opponent, Nawaz Sharif, on Tuesday and said those who were brought to the forefront by dictators are today talking about democracy.Imran’s criticism of Nawaz came during his press conference alongside Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s Dr. Tahirul Qardri.
Referring to the start of Nawaz’s political career, Imran said there is only one dear in politics and “that is Nawaz Sharif”.
The PTI chairman claimed that the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) was then formed to benefit the former prime minister.
“There is one person whose dear,” said Imran, adding that the issue which Nawaz faces now is that the establishment is not supporting him. Imran Khan reiterated his support for Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Tahirul Qadri and his party in pursuing justice in the Model Town case.
The Punjab government, on the orders of the Lahore High Court, made the report for the Model Town incident public on December 5. The report was drafted by Justice Baqir Najfi and called the 2014 tragedy in Lahore’s Model Town the “most unfortunate incident” in the country’s history.
“I came here today with my team to reassure PAT and Qadri that our party and the people of Pakistan are with them,” said the PTI chief while addressing a joint news conference alongside the PAT chief. “Whatever decision PAT takes, PTI will stand alongside it.”
Imran added that the tragedy of Model Town is not only PAT’s issue, but it is an issue for the people of Pakistan. “They tried their best to hide what they did in Model Town.”
He alleged that state institutions were working for them. “NAB was saving them in the Hudaibiya case while Federal Bureau of Revenue made forged documents for the mafia.”
Imran also alleged that the Punjab Police works on the orders of the Sharif family and are on their “beck and call”.
The PTI chief, referring to the movement announced by the former prime minister, said he is waiting for the campaign to start and added that “Nawaz can never start a movement”.
He further claimed that Nawaz is finished and he has not realised the reality yet. Speaking at the news conference while sitting beside Imran, Qadri welcomed the support and said the PTI chief has stood by him and has fought the case as his own.
“Imran has jointly struggled with us and has stood by us throughout,” said Qadri. “The connection between PTI and PAT is very strong and our 2014 sit-in was a proof of that.”
Referring to the upcoming All Parties Conference called by PAT, Qadri said the future course of action will be announced after the conference.
Qadri, elaborating on the Model Town tragedy, claimed the former prime minister, Nawaz, also played a part in the episode.
“I am sure that the bloodshed could not have happened without Nawaz Sharif’s agreement, orders from [Punjab CM} Shehbaz Sharif and execution by [Punjab Law Minister] Rana Sanauulah.” The PAT chief further claimed that the Punjab chief minister never gave the order to pull back the police forces.
Published in Daily Times, December 27th 2017.
