Pakistan

You’ve lost moral ground to stay in power, Imran tells PM

Asks Sharif brothers to reveal source of income

Our Correspondent June 25, 2016

Imran Khan speaks during an interview at his residence in Islamabad November 16, 2011. PHOTO: REUTERS

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan said on Saturday that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should step down because he has lost the moral ground to stay in power.

“In real democracies, the head of state follows the law,” Imran said while addressing a seminar on Panama leaks and Corruption organised by the PTI Professional Forum. “If a leader doesn’t uphold the law, the nation will never respect him.”

Panamagate inquiry: Imran warns of street agitation over ToRs

Promising to keep the issue of Panama leaks alive, the PTI chairman said the government wanted to dictate its own terms of reference (ToRs) for the Panamagate inquiry to save the Sharif family.

“The government knows that if accountability starts from the prime minister, he will be exposed. So, they want to formulate tailor-made ToRs,” he said. “We will first exercise our legal options, and if this doesn’t work, we will take to the streets.”

Calling for shutting down the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Imran alleged that the bureau was promoting and not eliminating corruption. “There are 13 cases pending against the premier which are not being pursued.”

Imran said a democratic government was based on moral authority, while dictatorships depended on the use of force. He said if nothing happened on the issue of Panama Papers, the country would have no future. “I cannot see my country being destroyed. I don’t want to become prime minister (of such a country). I want to fix this system.”

Panama leaks: ICIJ has not apologised to PM Nawaz, claims Imran

Criticising the Sharif brothers for having their pictures printed in advertisements, Imran said if they wanted publicity, they should not waste tax-payers’ money.

The Sharif brothers have become owners of 28 factories in just 12 years, he said, adding that they should enlighten the people how they had acquired so much wealth. “If they are unable to tell the source of their wealth, it can be assumed with certainty that they earned the money through corruption.”

Attendees at the seminar included senior PTI leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmeen Rashid, Jehangir Tareen, Naeemul Haq and Shafqat Mahmood.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2016.

COMMENTS (8)

Waseem | 7 years ago | Reply Look who is talking about morality.

Mohammed | 7 years ago | Reply @sabi: Yes as Nandipur has shown they are going to solve the electricity problem. But even if they solve some of the problems it doesn't mean they shouldn't be in jail for failure to pay tax and money laundering.

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Mohammed | 7 years ago | Reply IK you are talking about a family that has all the morals of an ally cat. But I don't blame them, I blame the stupidity of the PK population who vote for these crooks.

sabi | 7 years ago | Reply In 2018 people will be traveling from Karachi to Peshawar on grand motorways They will be having continues electricity with more purchasing power. They will be having more jobs and life security they will be enjoying air conditioned state of the art transport system. The cities in Punjab will be more modern and environment friendly. And that will be because of Nawaz Sharif and pmln. They are already watching all this happening why would they listen to you to abandon their leader just because you want to become prime minister. Don't they know that you are a supporter of Taliban and a habitual liar. No chance.

F Khan | 7 years ago | Reply Khan Sb if you do not allow legitimate elected government to work.You will also not be able to work when you are in power. Opposition will always find some issue for you not to continue.In both the situation public is the ultimate loser.

F Khan | 7 years ago | Reply Just because PM's children have off-shore accounts,he has lost moral ground to be in office?Mashallah what a logic? That's the same case for Imran Khan.He also has off-shore account. He has publicly accepted it.So then, where is the moral ground for him to continue as chairman PTI. Having off-shore account is not a crime but evading tax and keeping ill gotten money in it is a crime.But Khan Sb. didn't allow the judicial commission to work on it and rejected the commission offered by NS in his first speech.

NKAli | 7 years ago | Reply Yes! Imran Khan is 101 percent RIGHT. Nawaz Sharif and Zardari have no moral ground to run politics in Pakistan and Sindh. Salaams

REHAN | 7 years ago | Reply The same goes for you IMRAN KHAN. You lost your ground to lead a long time ago. Your Off shore company is not a good record as well. Your life style is supported with very rich corrupt people that are on the list of Panama. You support the Taliban openly and spend our Tax money to help the terrorists to continue killing our people the latest was Amjad Sabri. You lost all grounds to lead or even suggest that others should leave. All you do is pointing fingers at others and never look at your own record. More over you manipulate the poor to follow your view's that at the end of the day will hurt them . It is time for you to either come out with substantial reform or leave all together.

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