Imran concocted ‘cypher narrative’ to salvage politics: Memon

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and Sindh Minister for Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control, Sharjeel Inam Memon, has vehemently criticised the claims of American conspiracy to oust his government made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, dismissing them as a ploy to salvage his political career.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Memon labeled the ‘cypher drama’ concocted to deceive the public, accusing Khan of orchestrating a false narrative to shield his political ambitions.

Memon cited the disapproval of Imran Khan's claims not only by US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu but also by former Pakistan Ambassador to the US Asad Majeed, highlighting the lack of credibility in Khan's assertions.

"Imran Khan's resort to hiring lobbyists in the United States and attempts to tarnish Pakistan's image for personal gain are indicative of his desperation to cling to power," Memon asserted.

The PPP leader criticised the disruptive behaviour of PTI supporters during Donald Lu's statement at a Congressional hearing, asserting that such actions only served to ridicule Pakistan on the international stage.

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Furthermore, Memon accused certain members of the US Congress who are supportive of Imran Khan of having controversial stances, citing their alleged endorsement of atrocities against Palestinians.

Regarding the 2018 elections, Memon alleged a systematic effort to rig the electoral process in favour of PTI, citing irregularities in constituency delimitation and transparency issues acknowledged by European observers.

Memon claimed that the introduction of the Result Transmission System (RTS) in 2018 was a deliberate maneuver to facilitate PTI's ascension to power. He further alleged that a "Go Slow" policy was implemented with voters to manipulate the outcome of the elections in PTI's favour.

The PPP leader highlighted secrecy surrounding the counting and custody of ballot boxes during the 2018 elections, insinuating foul play in the process.

Memon criticised what he perceived as coercion tactics employed against PPP candidates in 2018, alleging that strong contenders were pressured into relinquishing their party affiliations and contesting as independent candidates.

Concluding his statement, Memon asserted that the PPP had been subjected to a significant degree of electoral rigging in both the 2013 and 2018 elections, alleging a bias against his party.