Panamagate: Imran to lead march to Raiwind on September 24
PTI chief slams MQM founder for spreading terror in metropolis.
PHOTO: IMRAN KHAN OFFICIAL/FACEBOOK
KARACHI:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan announced on Tuesday that he would lead a sea of his supporters to the Raiwind estate of the ruling Sharif family on September 24 as the government is reluctant to hold an independent inquiry into the Panamagate scandal.
The announcement came three days after the PTI chief, leading a rally in Lahore, put four questions before Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, saying that if the premier failed to answer his questions, then he would lead a march to Raiwind, though he didn’t specify when. Imran’s threat angered the ruling party as its second tier leaders threatened to march on the Bani Gala residence of the PTI chief.
Addressing a rally in Karachi’s Nishtar Park on Tuesday, Imran singled out Nawaz Sharif for his criticism. “Corruption will not end in Pakistan until he steps down,” he said, adding that the Sharif family was as corrupt as the prime minister himself.
The PTI chairman alleged that the government institutions responsible for holding the rulers accountable such as the National Accountability Bureau, Election Commission of Pakistan and National Assembly were in the pocket of Nawaz, which is why they were not taking actions against him.
“We have knocked on all the doors after Panama leaks, but were disappointed by all,” he said noting that even the Supreme Court turned away their petition by terming it ‘frivolous’.
He also criticised National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for quashing the disqualification references against the prime minister while approving those against him and his party colleague Jahangir Tareen. “Nawaz’s name is there in the Panama Papers. And the speaker admits a reference against me,” he wondered.
Reiterating his call for Nawaz’s accountability over the Panama Papers, Imran demanded that the opposition’s terms of references for a probe into the Sharif family assets should be accepted by the government otherwise he would lead a march towards Raiwind. “I will bring the whole nation to Raiwind so that you, Nawaz Sharif, will be held accountable.”
Earlier, Imran also lashed out at Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain for his seditious remarks.
The PTI chief blamed Altaf for promoting ethnic violence and terror in the metropolis. “For the past 10 years I have been raising voice against him [Altaf] and now everything is in front of Karachi’s citizens,” Imran said, adding that there was no need for ‘Muhajirs’ to prove their patriotism due to Altaf’s actions.
In this regard he referred to his former teammate, batsman Javed Miandad, as an example. Imran said Miandad had always served his team and the country like many other people belonging to Muhajir families.
Referring to Karachi’s issues, Imran said he would depoliticise police in the metropolis just like it had been done in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in addition to bolstering law enforcement capabilities so that the city would not require the Rangers help to maintain order.
Imran rebutted criticisms from Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali. The PTI chief said Wali could not even enter his province during the five years the ANP was in power in K-P.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2016.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan announced on Tuesday that he would lead a sea of his supporters to the Raiwind estate of the ruling Sharif family on September 24 as the government is reluctant to hold an independent inquiry into the Panamagate scandal.
The announcement came three days after the PTI chief, leading a rally in Lahore, put four questions before Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, saying that if the premier failed to answer his questions, then he would lead a march to Raiwind, though he didn’t specify when. Imran’s threat angered the ruling party as its second tier leaders threatened to march on the Bani Gala residence of the PTI chief.
Addressing a rally in Karachi’s Nishtar Park on Tuesday, Imran singled out Nawaz Sharif for his criticism. “Corruption will not end in Pakistan until he steps down,” he said, adding that the Sharif family was as corrupt as the prime minister himself.
The PTI chairman alleged that the government institutions responsible for holding the rulers accountable such as the National Accountability Bureau, Election Commission of Pakistan and National Assembly were in the pocket of Nawaz, which is why they were not taking actions against him.
“We have knocked on all the doors after Panama leaks, but were disappointed by all,” he said noting that even the Supreme Court turned away their petition by terming it ‘frivolous’.
He also criticised National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for quashing the disqualification references against the prime minister while approving those against him and his party colleague Jahangir Tareen. “Nawaz’s name is there in the Panama Papers. And the speaker admits a reference against me,” he wondered.
Reiterating his call for Nawaz’s accountability over the Panama Papers, Imran demanded that the opposition’s terms of references for a probe into the Sharif family assets should be accepted by the government otherwise he would lead a march towards Raiwind. “I will bring the whole nation to Raiwind so that you, Nawaz Sharif, will be held accountable.”
Earlier, Imran also lashed out at Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain for his seditious remarks.
The PTI chief blamed Altaf for promoting ethnic violence and terror in the metropolis. “For the past 10 years I have been raising voice against him [Altaf] and now everything is in front of Karachi’s citizens,” Imran said, adding that there was no need for ‘Muhajirs’ to prove their patriotism due to Altaf’s actions.
In this regard he referred to his former teammate, batsman Javed Miandad, as an example. Imran said Miandad had always served his team and the country like many other people belonging to Muhajir families.
Referring to Karachi’s issues, Imran said he would depoliticise police in the metropolis just like it had been done in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in addition to bolstering law enforcement capabilities so that the city would not require the Rangers help to maintain order.
Imran rebutted criticisms from Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali. The PTI chief said Wali could not even enter his province during the five years the ANP was in power in K-P.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2016.