In a move that mirrors growing acrimony with the government, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has declined Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s invitation to visit camps of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from North Waziristan.
“Yes, the PTI chief has turned down the prime minister’s offer to join him for a visit to the IDPs camp,” a senior official at the Prime Minister House told The Express Tribune on Thursday.
According to the official, Imran cited his party’s upcoming Bahawalpur rally as the reason for not visiting the camps along with the prime minister.
Expressing his disappointment over the refusal, the official said that the PTI chief failed to nominate a senior leader of the party in his place for the visit, which reflects lack of courtesy.
“The Bannu visit is a four hour [9 am to 1 pm] event whereas Imran Khan was scheduled to participate in a party rally during the evening,” a senior Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) official said.
According to details, the invitation to PTI chief by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is due to visit Bannu IDPs camp on Friday (today), was extended on Wednesday.
The official said that Imran was invited shortly after plans for the visit were finalised with the army.
“The purpose was to send a message to the jawans, who are fighting against terrorists in North Wazirstan, and the people at large that we [political leadership] stood united,” he added.
He said that the PM also wanted to send a message to the masses that though there were political differences, the political leadership in the country was united to address the issues faced by the IDPs.
Imran’s refusal has dealt a significant blow to efforts by the premier, who has repeatedly called for national unity in the wake of the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan. Both PTI and the ruling PML-N are bitterly divided over allegations of rigging during last year’s election. Imran has demanded recounting of votes in four constituencies.
Nawaz would be welcomed by the army leadership in Bannu where he would meet members of the armed forces. Subsequently, the premier would receive a briefing on operation Zarb-e-Azb’s progress.
“PTI chairman is often seen complaining that the government had kept him in the dark regarding the ongoing operation and had not shared details of what was happening but when provided the opportunity, Imran backed out,” said a bitter PML-N official.
Responding to a question, he said that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak would be present at camp. However, he said that his presence had nothing to do with PTI’s stance.
Separately, the PTI chief criticised the government for its inefficiency while addressing an event in Lahore.
Imran also expressed reservations over the arrangements made for the IDPs in Bannu, which he said were not adequate to meet their daily needs.
Taking a swipe at the PML-N government, the PTI chief claimed that Rs260 million was wasted on advertisement while the IDPs were dying of hunger and disease.
In a veiled attack aimed at the prime minister, he said that the rulers purchased two bulletproof vehicles costing Rs225 million while IDPs were deprived of basic facilities.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2014.
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