PM Shehbaz slams Imran for taking ‘U-turn on US conspiracy’

Rebuttal is a reminder of ‘vicious role’ Imran played to harm Pakistan's external relations, says premier

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday lashed out at his predecessor and PTI chief Imran Khan for “rebutting” his ‘foreign conspiracy narrative’ wherein he accused the US of engineering his ouster from power by supporting the then opposition’s no-confidence motion in April this year.

In an interview with Financial Times on Sunday, Imran apparently took a ‘U-turn’ on his accusations that the coalition government led by PML-N came to power through a conspiracy hatched by the United States against his regime.

Reacting to his statement, PM Shehbaz said the PTI chief’s “rebuttal of his foreign conspiracy theory is a reminder of vicious role he played to harm Pakistan's external relations while pursuing his own petty politics”.

“Nation is shocked by his deceit & treachery inflicting irreparable damage on Pakistan,” the premier wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Niazi's interview with FT in which he rebutted his foreign conspiracy theory is a reminder of vicious role he played to harm Pakistan's external relations while pursuing his own petty politics. Nation is shocked by his deceit & treachery inflicting irreparable damage on Pakistan.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) November 14, 2022

Earlier today, the ruling coalition members also took rival Imran to task over his 'U-turn' on the ‘foreign conspiracy narrative’.

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that "the issue is not going to disappear by sweeping it under the rug; you [Imran] will be held answerable for this".

Also read: ‘It’s behind me’: Imran Khan takes a U-turn on ‘US conspiracy’ narrative

“Simply withdrawing from the statements that were used to spread chaos and lies without answering for them will not be enough,” she added, saying that his changed stance on the alleged ‘US conspiracy’ was now a “question mark for those who believed the liar, the foreign-funded instigator who played with the national interest”.

Climate Minister Sherry Rehman termed the PTI chief's statements to the British newspaper "mother of all U-Turns" and questioned "who is responsible for all damage caused to the country's diplomatic ties by his false narrative?"

In the interview, Imran signalled a desire to work with Washington saying he wants to mend relations with the US despite accusing it of treating Pakistan as a ‘slave’.

The former premier said he no longer “blamed” the US and wants a “dignified” relationship if re-elected.

“As far as I’m concerned it’s over, it’s behind me,” he said of the alleged conspiracy, which both PM Shehbaz Sharif and the US deny. “The Pakistan I want to lead must have good relationships with everyone, especially the United States,” he said.