Imran says troops guarding our borders are ‘like my children’

PTI chairman says never want to see army weak; rejects notion that COAS appointment is issue for him

SHEIKHUPURA:

Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has highlighted that he never wants to see the army weak, saying that soldiers, doing duty on the borders, are “like my children”.

Talking to senior journalists on Thursday, Imran rejected the notion that the appointment of army chief had been an issue for him, saying that he was raising his voice against the problems faced by the people. “I am not worried about my country. Those who have been imposed on the country might harm the country.”

The PTI chairman repeated his earlier stance that elections were the best solution to every crisis the country faces. “Door of negotiation is always opened but talks regarding fresh elections can only take place.”

Further addressing a public gather in Sheikhupura, Imran threw down the gauntlet to Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, saying that the ruling party could never win the upcoming by-elections in the province.

Imran said that no politician could compete with the PTI candidates in the by-elections because the nation had decided that “this imported government, American conspiracy” and the plunder of the country were unacceptable to them.

Punjab is going to by-elections later this month to elect 20 provincial lawmakers. The seats fell vacant after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) unseated the PTI lawmakers for voting against the party line in the election of Punjab chief minister in April.

Also read: PPP pledges support to PML-N in Punjab by-polls

Imran was also critical of the ECP, accusing it of being biased towards the PTI. “The Election Commission is in cahoots with Hamza Shehbaz for the victory of these turncoats in the by-election,” Imran said.

“Listen Hamza Shahbaz! Hear that the people of Pakistan have decided that this imported government, American conspiracy and all the loot of Pakistan are unacceptable,” the former prime minister told a charged crowd.

“No one can compete with Tehreek-e-Insaf’s candidate because the turncoats do not have the passion,” he said. “Money is being spent on the election, but if you come out as a team, no one can defeat the workers and candidates of the Tehreek-e-Insaf.”

Imran criticised the wrong policies of the current coalition government, saying that the people were worried because of the rising inflation, while the industry was badly affected due to the increase in the price of diesel.

“These thieves [leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)] have money in Western banks and offshore companies. They are taking NRO to save the looted money,” he said.

Imran claimed that PPP Co-chairman Asif Zardari and the Sharif family would be ready to recognise even Israel to save their looted wealth. “They are ready to even please India by ignoring the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people,” he charged.

“They are willing to join the America’s war once again to save their money. During the tenures of Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, America carried out 400 drone attacks in Pakistan but they kept their silence. Which country in the world allows such attacks,” he said.

“I also want to be friends with America, but in no case will I accept its slavery. I want to be friends with India but not by a compromise on the blood of Kashmiris. If Kashmiris are oppressed then I will never want friendship with India.”

The PTI chairman also lashed out at the US, saying: “Who is America to stop us from buying [cheaper] oil from Russia. India is also an ally of America, but India is buying 30-40% cheaper oil from Russia to give relief to its people.”

However, he said that the current rulers would not dare buy the Russian oil, because they start trembling, whenever, they hear America’s name. “A criminal has been imposed on our country. A criminal Shahbaz Sharif has been made the prime minister,” he alleged.

Imran also condemned the “unjustified” arrest of senior journalist Imran Riaz and the harassment of the PTI workers. He claimed that the names of those who resorted to violence against the PTI’s May 25 rally had been noted down and they would be held accountable.

 

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