Imran slams Nawaz’s ‘save corruption rally’

Says the speeches tantamount to insulting the Constitution and national institutions

ISLAMABAD: Terming the return journey of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to Lahore a ‘save corruption rally’, PTI chief Imran Khan said that Nawaz is unable to understand the dynamics of populist politics because he was brought up by a military dictator.

Expressing concern over the content of speeches delivered by Nawaz on his way back to Lahore, Imran said: “The speeches tantamount to insulting the Constitution and national institutions.”

On Thursday, the PTI chief took to Twitter to respond to Nawaz’s homecoming journey.



“Speaking from a bullet-proof vehicle does not inspire confidence among the ever-dwindling crowds. If you fear death, you should not undertake public rallies,” he said.

He said the rally amounted to “nothing more than corner meetings”, adding that Patwaris and rent-a-crowd methods do not make one a popular leader.

“My advice to Nawaz Sharif on his Corruption Bachao rally: You can blame the umpires, the pitch, the weather, some of your players. But in the end you can't avoid the sinking feeling that the game is over and you have lost,” he said.

The PTI chief also predicted that Nawaz would soon realise that the number of people listening to his speeches was declining.



And speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, PTI’s information secretary Shafqat Mehmood said: “Democracy is all about voluntary submission to the Constitution and institutions created under it. And by attacking the judiciary, Nawaz Sharif is targeting democracy.”

Terming such behaviour disturbing, he said: “It seems Nawaz Sharif is leading a movement against the Constitution. You are actually trying to sabotage the judiciary,” he said.

Mehmood said Nawaz Sharif should know by now that not only him but his entire family would face disqualifications, following investigations by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) into references filed against them on the orders of the Supreme Court. “Money will also be recovered from them,” he maintained.

According to the PTI leader, the PML-N has a history of confrontation with state institutions, and the Sharifs have also been indirectly targeting Pakistan Army during their ongoing campaign.

He also criticised the closure of GT Road, saying that a prime minister disqualified by the Supreme Court on corruption charges had no authority to shut down businesses and one of the main national highways.