After Nawaz’s ouster, Imran targets Zardari

PTI chairman addresses mammoth thanksgiving rally in Islamabad, says judiciary’s ruling brings country ‘a new...

ISLAMABAD: Setting out his vision for Naya Pakistan, a triumphant Imran Khan has said his fight was solely against corruption, nepotism, bribery and dishonesty -- not against the Sharif family, cautioning PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to be ready for their turns.

“Asif Ali Zardari, I caution you that after Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Shehbaz Sharif your turn is next,” the PTI chairman told a mammoth crowd in the federal capital on Sunday.

Former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will most likely be approved as a stop-gap prime minister on Tuesday (tomorrow), at a special session of the National Assembly, where the ruling PML-N party holds a strong majority.

Abbasi will hold the position until Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is elected to National Assembly and can take over.

Hundreds of thousands of PTI supporters congregated at the Parade Ground for what had been termed a ‘thanksgiving day’ after Friday’s ruling by the Supreme Court, disqualifying Nawaz Sharif as prime minister.

In front of flag-flying party cadres dressed in the red and green colours of the PTI, Khan also targeted Maulana Fazlur Rehman and warned him to be ‘prepared’ for accountability.

Targeting Zardari, Khan asked how come the PML-N top leadership – which was itself involved in money laundering – could hold Zardari accountable who, according to him, was a money launderer too.

He said the PTI’s war against corruption was midway and yet to be over but added the party would certainly win that war.

The PTI chairman said the PML-N should not think that with the ouster of Nawaz Sharif the fight was over. “I will come after you (Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Shehbaz Sharif) now,” he said.

Khan has called for a future of ‘real democracy’ in the country. “We are thankful to the judiciary because with their judgment, they brought us a new hope.”

Chairman @ImranKhanPTI on stage; melodious national anthem "Dil Se Maine Dekha Pakistan" echoing in Parade Ground #GameOverNawaz pic.twitter.com/PLc1I9VnVn

— PTI (@PTIofficial) July 30, 2017

Chairman @ImranKhanPTI arrives on stage at Parade ground, meets @SaifullahNyazee and rest of the leadership. #YaumETashakur pic.twitter.com/RLl2zqBWPw

— PTI (@PTIofficial) July 30, 2017

He likened the rulers to “mafia who safeguard personal interests at any cost”.

“When we decided to move against Nawaz in the Panamagate case, everyone said it was a mistake because in the past, the powerful and mighty ones have been protected. But today I salute the court for giving hope to people for a new Pakistan,” he said.

Infuriated over the statement of AJK PM in which he reportedly criticised the Supreme Court decision and was quoted as saying “We will think to which country to make annexation to”, Khan said he should be ashamed of his statement in support of a corrupt mafia.

“I ask the people of AJK to stand up and hold protest gatherings against their PM,” he said about Raja Farooq Haider, dubbing him a traitor.

Khan said he was pretty much sure that now the Sharif mafia would seek help from foreign enemy forces to save their corruption-tainted kingdom.

“I bet they will sell Pakistan to its enemies. The Dawn leaks saga is a testimony to this fact,” he said.

Singers Abrarul Haq and Salman Ahmad sung songs and enthralled the audience. While, showbiz personalities Hamza Ali Abbasi, Malko, Sher Miandad, Asad Khattak, Veena Malik, etc., were also present on the stage.

Moreover, documentaries covering PTI chief’s political struggle spanning over two decades were also telecast.

Khan said he had been facing a case in the Supreme Court about his assets and income details.

“If it (SC) finds any single evidence stating that I have lied to the court about the London flat’s money trail, then I will resign even from the PTI,” Khan challenged.

He said it’s shameful that after Sharif’s ouster the PML-N had found no one but his younger brother to be elevated as prime minister.

Mohabaton ka wohi samandar.....
That's how he is being greeted by the public... Titles don't matter. #Murree pic.twitter.com/YGsNVk1oMN

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 30, 2017

“The PML-N faced problems while choosing the next prime minister. This does not happen in real democracies. It only happens in a monarchy,” he said.

The PTI chief said during his last 21 years political struggle he faced various hardships at the hands of the Sharif mafia but he never bowed down.

“Don’t judge them from their innocent faces” he said, adding they targeted my father and ex-wife.

“She (Jemima Khan) was 21 years old; she embraced Islam; left her home and came to Pakistan. They declared him a representative of the Jewish lobby; nominated in a false case of smuggling tiles and registered an FIR against her. She was pregnant at that time,” Khan emotionally said.

“This is the reality behind their innocent faces. I lost my children as my wife departed because of difficult life in Pakistan. Money is everything to them (Sharifs) -- but for me, my children [are dearer],” he said.

He said the thing that hurt him most was that the PML-N goons targeted Shaukat Khanam hospital.

The PTI chairman said when he called off his November 2 sit-in party supporters, allied parties and the media got disheartened, saying courts had failed to dispense justice against the powerful in the past, adding but today SC had given a new hope to the people of Pakistan.



“The match for Naya Pakistan has yet to be concluded but I want to tell you all that we will win this match,” he said.

Naya Pakistan

Khan used the opportunity to give the outline of Naya Pakistan he imagines.

He talked about the reforms his party would introduce in tax collection system -- to the extent that no poor will be left in Pakistan to collect charity money -- health, education, justice and accountability.

The plan the PTI chief had suggested was almost similar to the one he had been talking about since long.

“Right now, it seems impossible to achieve this dream. But one day, nation will see it in reality,” he said.

Talking about a would-be effective accountability system, Khan said a number of people had been complaining that the PTI had been welcoming corruption-tainted politicians to its folds but he assured no one would be spared due to his/her association in Naya Pakistan as NAB would be given a free hand.

“I will show you how to collect money from Pakistanis and nation will no further beg from foreign countries and international [donor] organisations. Pakistan will be made a welfare state,” he said.

He announced that prominent symbols of colonialism – Governor Houses across Pakistan – will be converted into public places.

“Governor House in Lahore will be demolished and converted into either a library or Park. Similar facilities in Murree and Nathia Gali will be converted into hotels, while the Governor house in K-P will be converted into a women park,” he claimed.

He said a strong taxation culture will be introduced in the country and unemployment would be uprooted by bring merit-based employments in all state departments.

“I promise that I will never bow before anyone and never allow my nation to do so,” Khan said.

The rally was also addressed by PTI vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, PTI General Secretary Jahangir Khan Tareen and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid.