Addressing a rally in Gujranwala, Khan said that the War on Terror had cost Pakistan $70 billion and resulted in the loss of over 35,000 lives. He said the US was blaming Pakistan for their own failure in Afghanistan.
Referring to President Asif Ali Zardari, Khan said that the nation needed strong leadership unlike the present one that is not standing up to the US, despite all their allegations in recent times.
Khan said the government should reject US aid.
He said that if his party came into power, they would first reject US aid and fight this war on their terms. He added that it was this aid that was giving the miiltants the perception that we were fighting the US War on Terror and hence attacked us.
Speaking on the floods, he said that the president went to flood hit areas for a ‘photo opportunity’ and then disappeared.
Khan said that while the president was busy travelling the world and "amassing wealth", it was the army that was fighting the insurgency in the tribal areas, controlling the situation in Balochistan, and the rangers who were conducting operations in Karachi.
On Waziristan, he urged the nation to unite against any possible US operation in the area. The US has been pressuring Pakistan to conduct an operation in North Waziristan to clear it of militant hideouts.
Khan said that come election year the people should not vote for a "coward leader", as Pakistan was a dignified nation.
Khan said he would make an important announcement in the coming days and give the nation good news soon.
COMMENTS (41)
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Wow! Not even pretending to be objective, are we? I am still on the fence about IK, but not about ET anymore.
Not an IK or a PTI supporter, but this headline, really does appall me. I started reading this article considering it to be an opinion blog (courtesy of the title); half way through, I realized this is actually a news report/story and found the rest of the story to be quite objective, which left me confused as hell. Either someone in ET is not doing their job or ET is considering of compromising quality and ethics over attraction and popularity. Whatever his political standpoint maybe, bashing the leader of a renowned political party, a national hero, a philanthropist in such a cheesy way, in a NEWS REPORT is nothing more than a "low-blow" and a display of cheap journalism.
ET. Why is it that anti Pakistan comments derogatory to the army and those posted by Indians are allowed through and relatively innocuous observations are not allowed ? Your job is remaining nonjudgmental. Let the people decide what is right and wrong.. isn't that the idea behind "comments"..... or are u a censor board?
@M Ali Khan: yes the army which helped during the floods
Anyone can throw cooked up numbers. $70 billion?? Why not $70 trillion!!
well no wonder express lashes out at imran khan. Someone should read abt the channels that recieved USAID. There was dunya news and there was another one... Guess which one was it.
@Naz Ebr: No leader is the world accepts foreign dictat Both Russia and Libya refused to hand over suspects with out evidence , only to 3rd party country Mullah Omar is not a hero, but his policy was right
Hahahaha...So when he criticizes Nawaz Sharif, he's said to be working on Zardari and ISI agenda. Now when he's criticizing Zardari his statements are being called "rhetoric". It seems some people can never be happy with Imran.
ET, please sort out this obviously biased title, or you will lose whatever credibility you have left.
This is the lowest form of journalism to use such kind of title, I have never seen such low level title in any national of international english newspaper
Khan Sahab.....There are more pressing issues to talk about and help resolve, Like Homoside bombing, ruthless killing of minorities, taliban etc then to try to score a point by critizing the Govt. and Zardari
Shame on the express tribune for such a biased headline. Is this real journalism? If you cant differentiate between "News" and "Opinion" you have no right to misguide people.
Imran Khan - The new rhetoric machine of Pakistan.
Gutter journalism from et, be objective,
Every time I read about it the cost of the war on terror the number jumps up by another $500 million. Does any one, any disinterested party have a good estimate?
@DOCTOR
you look to me a fake degree holder anyway i would say you that this is not the duty of opposition to provide security and manage the rules and regulation in Pakistan while this is the duty of the state to protect the peoples but infact the state is busy to protect their families first and if they got a chance which i am not sure they will get...anyway we will bring the change and will remove these thugs from the soil of Pakistan...
@Naz Ebr:
At least he has honor and is not like a nation for which Henry Kissinger once said, "You would sell your mothers for dollars if you get the chance." I think deep down you are just jealous of Mullag Omar.
Imran Khan does not have guts to say that it was past generals who made these deals.. totally ironic??
What kind of title is it? Is it journalism or mass propaganda? For those who claim IK has not criticised army, I would request them to search Imran Khan's videos on line. Search for Kiyani and Imran Khan to get your desired result.
@ Doctor
The PTI "yuppies" were out on the streets in protest against the release of Raymond Davis, out again for missing people and numerous other issues. Where were you? All talk indeed. Imran Khan has condemned all heinous crimes, such as those you mentioned, in the harshest of words. Kudos for blaming him for not being everywhere at all times. And about the armed forces, if the media hadn't blacked out the procession on 13th August and you had not been as ignorant as you are, you might have heard him taking on the ISI and Army for fighting America's war against our tribal leaders. Ignorant people though hear only what they want to hear.
Also, shame on the express tribune for such a biased headline.
Never saw such headline in any decent newspaper. Editors?
@Nadir: No he can't.. They are his sponsors
In 80's Zia used US in war against USSR, which next battlefield was Pakistan, retreated USSR, established a friendly govt, in Afghanistan, no international blemish, used the Islamic warriors against India in Kashmir, friendly relationship with west and US.
After 2002 US threatened Musharraf, another general, to join WOT, otherwise she will throw us into a stone age, out of fear or his personal interests he said, 'Yes', today after nine years the result is the loss of 70 billion dollars and 35000 lives, bad reputation in the world, a hostile govt in Afghanistan, western border is not safe, economic crises, energy crisis, a hovering constant threat from US. still things are worsening.
Still many people say Zia was failure and Musharaf's policy, if not his personality is a success. Is there any more glaring example of blindness?
Wow, massive crowds and kudos to media for not blacking out today. PTI team is flexing muscles in Gujranwala, Karachi, Peshawar, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Lahore, Mardan, Nowshera. Please watch and believe
Geo Khan....We love you.
Express "Biased" Tribune lashes out at Imran PTI... again
Express Tribune has reached new heights of USA slavery
I didn't read the article after I read the biased headline.
Imran Khan zindabaad!
'Khan said that while the president was busy travelling the world and “amassing wealth”, it was the army that was fighting the insurgency in the tribal areas, controlling the situation in Balochistan, and the rangers who were conducting operations in Karachi.'
Ok, i didn't know Zardari was a soldier of Army, FC and Rangers at the same time.
Khan said he will broaden the tax net and balance expenditure and earnings of the country. This is very significant. Every one around Pakistan has managed to do so and we are looking towards others for the last 60 years. It is also a fact that taking aid means following orders also. I think every Pakistani want a change and IK is going to lead it successfully insha Allah. East are West KHAN is the best.
and once again, NO BLAME on the GHQ and ISI.
Zardari doesn't control our foreign and defence policy!
Don't be so harsh with your economic savior, Mr. Khan. You may have to eat those words if you are ever in power....unless you are qualified to perform miracles.
The Pakistani economy is on a downward spiral and its economic needs are on an upward spiral. It is no longer an economically self-sustaining country and any reversal in its fortune will take a very significant amount of sustained foreign assistance.
What a biased article from the headline, ofcourse pakistani liberals cannot tolerate criticism against USA or Zardari.
"Imran 'Rhetoric' Khan lashes out at Zardari, US...again"
Is this news item or opinion piece? ET, please describe your journalistic ethics if there are any?
Yes, Khan is right. The country needs a brave leader like Mullah Omar who got the entire country trashed over a useless rhetoric: "We will not hand over Osama to the US, it's against our culture and religion".
why truth, the whole truth against President Zardari is termed rhetoric by Express tribune?
You do realise that it is the Army that deals with the US. Are you saying that Kayani and Co are not strong leaders?