Sadiq victory deflated claims of Imran’s popularity, says Rashid

Says people of London have rejected PTI chief’s ‘politics of lies’

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid has said the defeat of Zac Goldsmith in London mayor’s election had ‘deflated the balloon’ of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s so-called popularity abroad.

“Pakistanis in London by voting for their compatriot Sadiq Khan have not only proven their patriotism but also exposed the hollow claims of Imran Khan’s popularity among the expats,” Rashid said in a statement issued on Saturday.



He said the victory of Sadiq Khan and defeat of Zac Goldsmith had virtually raised ‘Ro Imran Ro’ slogan even in the United Kingdom’s capital. “The PTI chief along with his entire family had campaigned for Zac but the people of London have rejected his politics of lies by voting for Sadiq,” he said.

Congratulating the newly-elected London mayor, he said the election of the first-ever Pakistani for the coveted post is a source of happiness for all the Pakistanis.  “The victory of the son of a labourer is a matter of pride and honour for every labourer and every Pakistani,” he added.

Pervaiz Rashid said the defeat of Zac Goldsmith and the victory of Sadiq Khan was a clear indication of the mood of the electorate. “With Sadiq’s election, the people of London have also rejected the negative propaganda against Pakistan and Pakistanis,” he added.

He said Sadiq Khan through his performance would garner further respect for the Pakistani nation.



“Imran’s attempts to hoodwink the Pakistanis at home and abroad by claiming to visit London to gather proofs regarding the Panama Papers leaks speaks volumes about the contradiction in his claims and deeds,” he added.

The minister said people of Pakistan knew that Imran’s priority is his family and not compatriots.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8^th, 2016.