Tarar lashes out at PTI, Imran's sons

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Thursday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the sons of former prime minister Imran Khan of acting against Pakistan's national and economic interests, alleging efforts to damage the country's global standing and stability.

Addressing a news conference, Tarar said many people in Pakistan had made sacrifices for the country, but claimed the PTI had failed to do so.

"What kind of sacrifice is stealing a watch? Taking foreign funding? Corruption of £190 million? What kind of sacrifice is this?" he said.

"In this country, politicians have given sacrifices beyond their means. There have been chants of 'Pakistan Khappay' to save the country," he added. "Nobody wished for ruin to reach Pakistan because they themselves were ruined... shame on you."

Tarar said the government had invited Imran Khan's sons to return to Pakistan using the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), but alleged they chose other options instead.

"We asked the sons of the founder of PTI to come to Pakistan on NICOP, but they remained focused on other options," he said. "You made up stories saying we would arrest you, but we said we would welcome you."

The minister also criticised PTI's economic record, alleging the party had pushed Pakistan close to default during its tenure.

"The PTI had pushed Pakistan to the brink of default," he said, adding that prayers or wishes for a sovereign default were unacceptable.

"If the nation defaults, yes, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz will suffer, but more than that, it will be the common man who suffers," Tarar said. "The country's white-collar workers, blue-collar workers, wageworkers - everyone would suffer."