Coalition leaders fire broadside at Imran

Shehbaz calls PTI chief ‘destroyer of the economy’, Zardari ‘Mad Khan’

VEHARI/ ISLAMABAD:

 

The senior-most leaders of the ruling coalition on Tuesday lambasted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for damaging the national interests and skipping the court hearings in total disregard for the country’s judiciary.

In separate statements, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif labelled the PTI chief as a “destroyer of the economy”, while former President Asif Zardari dubbed him as “Mad Khan” who bogged down the country in a very difficult situation.

In his statement, Prime Minister Shahbaz lambasted the former prime minister for avoiding court appearances in the Toshakhana case. He said that the “destroyer of the economy”, was still conspiring to prevent economic recovery.

He added that that Imran was disregarding the court in the same way he mistreated the national interests, international lenders, friendly countries, Constitution, parliament, media and other institutions.

Shehbaz’s statement came on the heels of an order of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that suspended the non-bailable arrest warrants against Imran till March 13, directing that the PTI chief would appear in the trial court on that date.

Zardari, the president of the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), fired a broadside at Imran while addressing a reception in Vehari.

“A moron was made the prime minister, who brought the country's economy to the brink of destruction,” he said.

“This “Pagal (mad) Khan” has no understanding whatsoever and ruined the country. He trapped us in a quagmire, from which we will come out with great difficulty, but surely, we will come out,” Zardari said. “I am determined to rid the country of its problems.”

Zardari played down any talk of the country going bankrupt or defaulting on its international obligations. “These talks are ongoing, America, Japan, and Great Britain also defaulted. It doesn't matter, there are ups and downs – a temporary difficulty.”