Maryam slams Imran for using religion in politics

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Thursday accused PTI chairman and deposed premier Imran Khan of using religion in his ‘dirty politics’.

Speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court, the PML-N leader added that the PTI chief changed the definition of religion according to his liking.

“Religion is a personal matter, but it does not when you say voting for PML-N and not voting for PTI is a sin,”  Maryam said.

She added that the PTI chief had declared that his party members, who decided to switch sides, were committing shirk.

“Shirk’s definition is associating partners with God. Are you changing the entire dictionary and the meaning of religion for your disgusting politics?” she inquired.

“If this is shirk, according to you, then you are the biggest sinner because you admitted in TV interviews that you used the establishment to bring people in into you government for voting,” she added.

She urged Imran not to use religion for politics as it “hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims”.

Maryam was asked about PML-N leader Javed Latif’s statement a day earlier accusing the PTI chief of “attacking the basic principles of Islam” by “supporting” the Ahmadiyya community during his tenure.

The PTI responded to Latif’s remarks by criticising the coalition government for “using religion to spread hatred” against its chief.

Maryam did not speak directly about Latif’s remarks, but said she was against using or involving religion in politics or for personal interests.

“Using religion for your personal motives is not good. I have suffered this. [Party leader] Ahsan Iqbal received a bullet and they insulted [PML-N supremo] Nawaz Sharif as well.”

The PML-N leader maintained that certain elements stopped favouring and backing the PTI chief, then dealing with him would not even last three days.

The PML-N vice-president said Imran had “created a drama” and accused the US for his ouster from office, but now he has rolled out a red carpet to welcome American lobbyists.

Referring to Imran’s constant attacks on national institutions, she said Imran praised the army while he was in power and later made the institution controversial, claiming that “only animals were neutral”.

Talking about the PTI chief's contempt case, Maryam maintained that it was not right to first insult a female judge during a public gathering and later apologise.

She referenced PML-N leader Nehal Hashmi’s case and said all were equal in the eyes of the law. She added that Hashmi was disqualified for five years despite his apology.

The PML-N leader termed Imran’s comments as unforgivable and said judges had to look into this matter.

While answering a question on the recent hike in electricity and fuel prices, Maryam said she opposed the decisions.

She further said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had saved the country from default.

The PML-N leader added that the country's economy was gradually recovering.
She further said the government must not come under pressure to hold early elections.

(With input from agencies)