Asif calls out Imran's 'hypocrisy' for seeking help from US

Says PTI chief first accused the US of conspiring against the party and is now seeking its help

ISLAMABAD:

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday called out Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan for his "hypocrisy" in seeking help from the US.

The PML-N leader made the remarks while addressing a foreign media news conference in Islamabad along with Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

Asif claimed that the series of events that have taken place after the vote of no-confidence last year “shows the total sum of Imran’s journey — his dismissal from the government and now his SOS to the US for help”.

“His political journey started with a cipher — in which he had accused the US of conspiring against the PTI government," said Asif.

“And today, Shireen Mazari has written a letter to the US for him […] the country he once accused of conspiracy … he is now seeking help from them,” he added.

The defence minister claimed that on one hand, Imran had accused former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa of conspiring against him while in office and on the other the then premier had offered Gen Bajwa an extension for life.

He further reiterated that Imran had accused the US of conspiring against him and is now "flirting with the American government" for some sort of aid due to the "victimisation of PTI" in Pakistan.

"He [Imran] will tell you one thing today and say the opposite tomorrow. His utterances are completely irrational," said Asif.

He added that Imran's followers may believe him but most people have lost track of all that the PTI chief has said over the past year.

Commenting on Imran's behaviour, Asif said "nowhere in the world has an accused ever refused to appear in court". He added that the deposed PM has been giving excuses related to his security for not appearing in court.

"His [Imran's] appearance in court is accepted while he sits in a car," said Asif.

He also accused Imran of attacking courts as they are "mobbed by his supporters" when he appears, adding that courts are intimidated and come under pressure as they face threats from PTI supports.

"When the police were sent to his residence to arrest him, they were also attacked," said the defence minister. He stated that at least 70-80 police officers, including senior officials, were injured trying to arrest the PTI chief.

Asif said that this has never happened in Pakistan in the past, adding that former leaders have "surrendered in a dignified manner" and "never physically contested their arrest or abused and maligned the courts".

He noted that when Imran was in power, "almost all of PML-N’s top leadership was arrested, including Nawaz Sharif who came back from the UK to surrender," adding that there was never any resistance from their side.

Sharing a video of the clashes between PTI supporters and the police, Aurangzeb said that when police went to arrest Imran as per court orders, the PTI chief "defied orders, violated the law, attacked policemen and used women and children as a human shield".

"Imran Khan is a desperate man," said Asif, accusing the PTI chief of demonstrating a type of violence that "has never happened in Pakistan".

The defence minister noted that political governments have never resorted to violence against their opponents. "Such organised violence against state machinery is unprecedented in our history despite the problems we’ve had over the past 75 years," he said.

Govt 'willing' to talk to Imran

When asked about the possibility of talks with Imran, the defence minister said that in the past year, the present government has been willing to talk on many occasions.

However, he added, Imran has only been interested in talks with the military but "never the political leadership". He said that the PTI chief met with Gen (retd) Bajwa many times when he was the army chief and made attempts to negotiate with him.

The minister said that the government is "ready to talk for the sake of peace in our country," and that there must be a consensus on major issues Pakistan has faced for decades.

"We don’t want a transactional dialogue, we want something comprehensive," he added.

Answering a question regarding elections in the country, Asif said that general elections are due in October and will be held on time.

Regarding the Punjab Assembly elections, the PML-N leader said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has made its decision and according to the constitution, the ECP is the body empowered to hold elections.

'Cult following'

Responding to a question regarding Imran's allegations against Punjab police for conspiring to murder him, Asif said that the PTI chief is making "scandalous" claims.

He added that Imran's followers are "ready to believe anything he says," claiming that his following is like "a cult" where the ousted premier's supporters follow him blindly, believing everything the PTI chief says.

"Imran has a cult following but it will fizzle out," said the defence minister, adding that the alleged conspiracies to murder the ex-PM are "fabricated lies".

Asif said that the coalition government is governing the country under exceptionally difficult circumstances, administratively, financially and politically.

"Every day there is a crisis precipitated by Imran Khan and we are handling it," said Asif. He expressed hope that the situation will be settled and things will improve.