NA session revolves around Imran-bashing

ISLAMABAD:

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said that PTI Chairman and former premier Imran Khan should not “target” the institutions that “supported him unconditionally” during the last four years, adding that the chief of the former ruling party could not deliver despite the assistance extended to him.

Speaking at the National Assembly session, the defence minister noted that the PTI chief was censuring the armed forces of the country despite the fact that they had announced to remain apolitical.

“After 75 years, we are on a point where we can say that all the institutions are playing their constitutional role. These institutions extended ‘unconditional support’ to Imran Khan,” he said.

“He (Imran) should not attack these institutions but rather should be ashamed of himself that despite their assistance he could not perform.”

The defence minister claimed that the PTI members used to ask Imran for funds for the constituencies but the former premier would instead ask them for sloganeering against the incumbent government. “Imran has gone mad for power.”

Asif said he was told in a programme that the PTI chairman had sold a gold medal which he had received from India.

Imran had been disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan for making “false statements and incorrect declaration” in the Toshakhana issue.

On September 8, the PTI chief admitted in a written reply that he had sold at least four presents he had received during his tenure as premier.

Asif took a dig at Imran over his recent interview to a British newspaper where the PTI chairman said that he no longer “blamed” the US administration for his removal from power.

“As far as I’m concerned it is over, it’s behind me,” the newspaper had quoted the former premier as saying.

Asif maintained that the PTI chief had earlier said that he was ousted through a US conspiracy but “then felt that America should not be offended”.

“Where did the imported government, foreign conspiracy and real freedom go?” the questioned while referring to Imran’s stance against the incumbent regime.

He referred to Imran’s statement that the establishment should have stopped the no-confidence vote against him, saying the PTI chairman had called for an illegal act against a constitutional step.

Regarding the appointment of the new army chief, Asif said the defence ministry had received the premier’s letter in this regard and that the process would be completed in a day or two.

He said the process was being treated as if it was the only issue in the country.

He slammed the media for contributing to the charged atmosphere by airing news about whether the summary of the army chief candidates was sent or not but not bothering to verify the information.

The defence minister said that all the institutions will have to be on the same page on the issue of the appointment of the army chief.