‘Imran never helps his aides involved in corruption’, Hammad tells Aleem

Estranged PTI leader Aleem Khan launches tirade against PM Imran, regrets supporting the party

LAHORE:

PTI leaders hit back at their estranged party fellow Aleem Khan for launching a tirade against Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying the premier is not sincere to the nation.

In a tweet, former energy minister Hammad Azhar said it was PM Imran’s trait that he did not protect even his aides if they were involved in any wrongdoing.

“Aleem Khan, it was your mistake to expect from Imran Khan that he would save you from NAB investigation. Imran Khan does not benefit anyone outside the law in business or land matters,” he added.

عمران خان کی خصوصیت ہے کے اگر ان کا کوئی ساتھی بھی غلط کام کرے تو وہ اُسے تحفظ نہیں دیتے۔
علیم خان صاحب، عمران خان سے آپ کو یہ توقع لگانا کے وہ نیب تحقیقات سے آپ کو بچاتے آپ کی غلطی تھی۔ اسی طرح عمران خان کسی کو کاروباری یا زمین کے معاملے میں قانون سے ہٹ کے فائدہ نہیں پہنچاتے۔

— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) April 4, 2022

Former information minister Fawad Chaudhry expressed regret over Aleem’s statement, saying that all allegations that the latter hurled at PM Imran would ultimately damage his own reputation.

علیم خان صاحب کی پریس کانفرنس پر سخت افسوس ہوا، جب آپ کسے کے قریب رہے ہوں اور اختلافات ہو جائیں تو گفتگو میں تہمتیں آپ کی اپنی عزت کم کرتی ہیں،آپ کے تمام گلے دوسرے سال کے ہیں جب حکومت تھی اس وقت بات ہوتی تو کوئ وزن بھی تھا اس وقت الزامات اور رکیک حملے نامناسب ہیں

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 4, 2022

Aleem, who served as senior Punjab minister, and recently announced to support the opposition’s candidate for the Punjab Chief Minister post, accused the prime minister of not being sincere to the nation.

The estranged leader also regretted that he dedicated 10 years of his life to the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI). “I supported the party with complete dedication and hard work for Naya Pakistan in the face of Imran Khan. I'm sad that the person I spent 10 years of my life for is not sincere with the nation,” he lamented.

He criticised PM Imran on various accounts, including National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases against him, retaining Usman Buzdar as the chief minister and the latest nomination of PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervez Elahi as the new Punjab chief minister.

Also read: Aleem airs Punjab-related grievances with Nawaz

Aleem Khan pointed out that PTI has 183 members in Punjab Assembly but PM Imran nominated Pervaiz Elahi for chief minister slot just to secure support of five MNAs in National Assembly.

Not even a single PTI member in the house is capable to run the chief minister’s office, he questioned.

“I had been supporting the party from 2010 to 2018. I had been given the responsibility to provide diesel, water and food during the 126-day long sit-in in Islamabad and rewarded with the label of traitor to the party. I was put behind bars over corruption allegations but no reference was filed against me. What I did wrong that I was summoned by the NAB four times. Imran Khan wanted to appoint Buzdar as chief minister but why I was sent behind bars. I came to know in NAB office that Buzdar has been elected as chief minister,” he disclosed.

He also questioned the role of Farrah, first lady’s friend, in provincial bureaucracy. “If Prime Minister Imran Khan was so truthful, he should face me publicly,” he maintained.