Imran did not declare his Knightsbridge flat for many years, claims Shahbaz

Shahbaz censured Imran for his lofty claims, saying he was no Gandhi, Che Guevera or Quaid-e-Azam

KARACHI: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan had failed to disclose his Knightsbridge flat in London for many years.  

While speaking to Express News anchor Javed Chaudhry on his show Kal Tak, the under fire chief minister said he would quit from politics if he’s proven wrong about Imran’s undeclared asset.

“He covered up a flat he owns in Knightsbridge, London, which is worth millions of pounds. Isn’t it a crime?” he asked.

“Imran is a liar who misleads the masses.”

Shahbaz, while visiting flood affected areas in Punjab, claimed that he had declared all of his assets when he returned from exile in 2007.

Now, the PMLN leader said, his assets were the people of Pakistan, and he was standing with them in this time of need.

“I have declared all my assets. Now he [Imran] should come forward and declare his assets,” said Shahbaz. “He owns a 700 canal palace in Bani Gala while his in-laws, the Goldsmiths, also have huge property.”

He added that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had stated all his assets and the record could be checked from the National Assembly.

Shahbaz refuted Imran’s claims that Athara Hazari dyke was not breached to save Ramazan Sugar Mill, allegedly owned by the Sharif Family.

“I don’t have any sugar mill in Jhang but one in Chiniot,” he said. “However, I can say that Imran’s confidant, Jahangir’s Tareen has many sugar mills which have been funded by international donors.”

He alleged that Tareen was a sugar baron of Pakistan.

Shahbaz was of the view that if Imran was really concerned about the masses, he should have come and stood with them rather than protesting and holding a sit-in in Islamabad.

Criticising the PTI chairman for levelling baseless allegations, the Punjab chief minister said the total cost of Lahore’s Metro Bus was not even Rs35 billion, let alone Rs70 billion.

“Get it audited by an international agency, and I will resign if proven wrong,” he said.

When asked why he came for ‘photo sessions’ with flood victims, Shahbaz said it was up to the masses to judge him and not anyone else.

“My God knows if I have come here for a photo session or for their service,” he said. “I won’t defend myself. People of my province know better.”

Responding to a question that why both Dr Tahirul Qadri and Imran were not among those affected by floods, he said both leaders hated the poor of this country.

“While Qadri would return to Canada, Imran will mix among those who wear clothes and perfumes from London and Paris,” he said. “I have repeatedly asked them to come here but they hate the poor’s faces and untidy clothes.”

Shahbaz added that even though it was late, the masses would forgive them if they still came to visit them.

“These people are villagers who work in the field. They become sweaty because of their hard work and their clothes get dirty,” he said. “Imran hates them but we love them.”

Dialogue with PTI, PAT

Answering a query if the incumbent government would resume dialogue with the protesters, Punjab chief minister said all points were agreed upon except the PM’s resignation, which, according to him, was without any justification.

“Why should the PM resign; because China was making the biggest investment in history under his tenure?” he said.

Preventive measures for floods

Asked about steps to mitigate floods, Shahbaz said the government was taking preventive measures but since floods of 2014 were deadliest in history, the existing infrastructure could not cope with it.

“There are technical flaws and I have already constituted a committee, which is working for preventive measures,” he said. “We have received much help from the NDMA and PDMA but there is need of further capacity building.”

No need of 'Naya Pakistan'

Taking a jibe at PTI’s slogan of ‘Naya Pakistan’, the PML-N leader said the masses did not want a ‘Naya Pakistan’ where their leaders do not visit affected areas. Instead, they sleep all day and join the crowd during the night for a musical celebration.

“We reject the ‘Naya Pakistan’ where his [Imran] children live in palaces of London, and leaders who were part of Musharraf regime have joined him.”

“Can he make  a new Pakistan with such elements?”

Shahbaz also censured Imran for his lofty claims, saying he was no Gandhi, Che Guevera or Quaid-e-Azam.

“He has no ideology and has nothing in his hands,” he said.