End of Nawaz-Zardari alliance good omen for country: Imran

PTI chief says people of Fata would need to be consulted on whether they want to become a part of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Thursday, termed the end of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's friendship with Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari a 'good omen' for the country.

“It is a great thing that this friendship is coming to an end as Zardari sits in Dubai,” Imran said, adding that “the pressure is now on PM Nawaz.”

Addressing media in Nawshera, the PTI chief said it was great for the country that the friendship was coming to an end as it will only be beneficial for the country.

The remarks come just a week after Asif Ali Zardari convened a meeting in Dubai in connection with the Rangers’ raids and subsequent arrest of former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain.

Read: Zardari convenes PPP meeting in Dubai

Commenting on the widespread corruption in the country and among politicians, the PTI chief said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is free from political pressure in his province.

“NAB in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is free from political pressure,” he said.

Meanwhile, Imran termed the Rs341 billion worth of grants, subsidies and loan advances to be received by farmers from the government a "mere joke."

“The relief the prime minister has provided to farmers is a joke to the agricultural sector,” he said, adding that Nawaz should have included this in the budget.”

Read: PM announces Rs341 billion relief package for farmers

Responding to a question on whether Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) should become a part of the K-P, Imran said that the people of Fata would first need to be consulted.

“We need to sit down with the people of Fata and discuss it with them. We need to do this all with their permission,” he said.

The PTI chief concluded his address saying the entire city would stand up for him when he begins campaigning.