PM Shehbaz says leaked audio clip exposes Imran's 'hypocrisy'

Premier says contrary to his claims, Imran 'sought NRO to save himself & his govt'

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter on Sunday to criticise former premier Imran Khan after an alleged conversation between former president Asif Ali Zardari and property tycoon Malik Riaz was leaked on social media.

The conversation that allegedly took place before the no-confidence motion against former prime minister Imran Khan was leaked on social media. Riaz could be heard saying that "Khan" wanted to reconcile with the PPP co-chairman.

https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1530816429267767296

In a comment on the audio clip, PM Shehbaz stated that the alleged conversation between Zardari and Malik Riaz exposed Imran Khan's "hypocrisy and double standards".

"Contrary to his claims, he [Imran] sought NRO to save himself & his govt. The fake story of foreign conspiracy was manufactured after all his efforts failed," Shehbaz said, adding that Imran's "lies stand exposed".

In April, the cricketer-turned-politician was voted out from power through a vote of a no-confidence motion, becoming the first prime minister in the country’s history to be unseated by a parliamentary revolt.

The joint opposition's no-confidence motion, which required 172 votes in the 342-strong parliament to pass, was supported by 174 lawmakers, resulting in an unprecedented ouster of Imran. Later, Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the country's 23rd prime minister.

Leaked audio clip

A day earlier, the audio clip of an alleged conversation between former president Asif Ali Zardari and property tycoon Malik Riaz which took place before the no-confidence motion against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, was leaked on social media in which Riaz could be heard saying that former premier wanted to reconcile with the PPP co-chairman.

Read more: Imran Khan becomes Pakistan's first premier to be unseated by parliamentary revolt

"Sir, I just wanted to inform you about a matter that I have told you about before. I had told you that I wanted to talk to you about something and you told me that we would discuss it later," Malik told Zardari during the telephone call.

"I just wanted to let you know that [Imran] Khan has sent me several messages for reconciliation in a patch-up bid between you and him, and today, he has sent lots of messages to me," the property tycoon said to Zardari, who is known for his reconciliatory politics.

However, in response, the former president said: "But, it is impossible now."

"Yes, it's okay, I just wanted to bring this thing to your notice," Malik responded.