Imran bites the hand that feeds him: Asif

Defence minister says PTI chief has turned against ‘benefactor’ Gen Bajwa

SIALKOT:

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday said that former chief of army staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s benefactor and now he abuses him.

Addressing the PML-N workers’ convention in Sialkot, he said that under the plan, a person was brought to power who destroyed the economy, today he is saying that justice should be done to him.

Imran did not suddenly descend on Pakistan, he was launched after 2011 through planning, he claimed.

“We tried our best to prevent national destruction, but the planners succeeded in transferring power, when nations follow the slogans of fakes and frauds, destruction happens,” he remarked.

Asif said that a newspaper apologised for making a false statement against Shahbaz Sharif in a foreign court.

“A campaign was launched against us on television, Imran Khan used to say that justice is served in British courts,” he said. “He sent Shahbaz Sharif to jail twice and was preparing to send him for the third time. We never targeted women politicians. Our leader's daughter was arrested.”

Rana Sanaullah was falsely accused of drug possession and acquitted by the court, he added.

The federal minister said that General Bajwa is a benefactor of Imran and he abuses General Bajwa as well.

“People kiss the Holy Kaaba, but he sold a watch with a picture of the Holy Kaaba for tens of millions,” he remarked.

“‘Murshid’ was selling things through Zulfi Bukhari; 6 billion jewels were bought for Rs15 million, and you say that Imran Khan is honest?” he asked.

Asif said that Imran is the “biggest thief”, and he has spent his life in free trade.

He said that he was given only two blankets during the severe cold season in prison, and his wife used to sit in anti-corruption all day.

“No evidence could be produced against me, I was only targeted for personal enmity,” he added.

The minister said that Imran should respond to the conversation between “Murshid” and Zulfi Bukhari. “He says that ‘I made a mistake by giving an extension to General Bajwa’, ‘I made a mistake by going to Russia’, in the future it will be said that ‘I made a mistake by marrying Murshid’,” he went on to attack the former premier.

He further said that now all institutions of the country will serve it within their constitutional limits. He added that the people have the authority to hand over the power of the country.

Asif said that Imran will have to be held accountable.

“He used to say that ‘I will break the assemblies’, I said not to trust Pervaiz Elahi, and now he will say that ‘it was my mistake to appoint Pervaiz Elahi’,” he added.