Mardan rally: Imran says PTI will protect judiciary ‘at all cost’

Says those issuing statement against army are proving to be enemies of Pakistan

PESHAWAR: While claiming that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has always attacked state institutions, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has assured the judiciary of its full support.

“The PML-N has always attacked the judiciary and state institutions but the PTI will support judiciary at all cost,” Imran Khan said on Monday while addressing a gathering in the Mardan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkwa (K-P).

“We also assure [Panama Papers Joint Investigation Team chief] Wajid Zia of our support,” the PTI chief added. Zia, whose team probed into the ruling family’s offshore assets in line with the apex court’s order, had recently testified against the Sharifs before an accountability court

Khan said it was the first time in Pakistan’s history that a prime minister had been brought to justice. “In the past we hadn’t seen judiciary take action against those who were in power because they used to follow the rulers’ orders,” he said.

He said in the past the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari went from jail to the President House because ‘his own people’ were on powerful seats.

The PTI chief praised the Pakistan Army and said some people were issuing anti-army statements despite the fact that the army has protected the nation. “Those who speak against the army are proving to be an enemy of Pakistan because our security forces always rescue us.”

He said he was the first politician who opposed sending army to tribal areas and becoming an ally of the US in the Afghanistan war. He said conflicts kill people and destroy homes, businesses, education and health facilities.



“People of Fata [Federally Administered Tribal Areas] suffered a lot and as a result of the war they were rendered homeless. [However] if the PTI wins 2018 elections, we will merge Fata with K-P, provide all basic facilities to its people and start development work for the uplift of tribal people,” he said.

Imran Khan encouraged people to join the ‘historic’ procession of the PTI on April 29 at the Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore and raise voice against the corrupt mafia of this country.

The PTI chief also criticised the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and said he fitted in every government but could not fit in the PTI government.

“Fazl and [Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party chief] Mehmood Khan Achakzai created the main hurdles in merger of Fata with the K-P. They told Sharif that after Fata’s merger, the PTI supporters will increase.”

He said his party’s 126-day marathon sit-in in Islamabad in 2014 was against rigging in the 2013 election, adding that that protest created awareness among people about protection of democracy in country.

The PTI chief blamed Nawaz Sharif for theft of Rs300 billion and keeping the money in foreigner banks.

“But now he cries why he was ousted. Nawaz Sharif is the first PM who has been ousted from government four times during the three times his party came to power,” Khan said.

He said in the past the country’s leaders were received by US president when they visited America but the incumbent PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was frisked at a US airport during his last visit.

Khan promised the nation he would make Pakistan one of the powerful nations of the world that never beg from others. “People donated us millions for construction of Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Peshawar, Karachi and Lahore and people will contribute when we decide not to beg,” he added.