National institutions will never clash, says PM

Imran Khan says Indian BJP, mafias want to destabilise Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said national institutions will never clash with one another as they have started working within their parameters with maturing of democracy.

“A democratic culture and mindset prevails in the country and the state institutions respect one another to the disappointment of many, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of India and mafias in Pakistan, which wanted to destabilize the latter,” Imran said on Thursday.

The PM was apparently talking with reference to a recent controversy with regard to reappointment of army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa – which was challenged in the apex court – while addressing inaugural session of a two-day Engage Africa Conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Imran Khan said attempts were made to create instability in the country through a sit-in – staged by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl in Islamabad – earlier this month and by unduly playing up a case in the Supreme Court.

He said New Delhi wants to destabilise Pakistan as the way the incumbent government in Islamabad has highlighted the Kashmir issue is, according to him, unprecedented.

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“Unfortunately, some people in Pakistan in their bid to destabilise the country have tried to undo the government’s efforts to highlight the Kashmir crisis.

“Who was pleased the most – the racist BJP government of India, which has been celebrating a lot. First, they had pinned hopes on the sit-in and were disappointed there. Now they hoped bring about a clash among the institutions,” he added.

The prime minister said during its 23-year struggle, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has always worked for independence of judiciary and fully took part in the movement for its restoration in 2007 when he was also jailed. The government is committed to protect independence of judiciary, he added.

“I think the harmony among the institutions today is unprecedented. This is haunting the BJP government and Pakistani mafia, which has their money stashed abroad and desired instability in Pakistan to protect their money.

“All of them have faced defeat. God willing, they will face defeat in future too. Because, Pakistan is now progressing speedily having gone through a difficult time and God willing, no force will impede it from heading forward,” he added.