- Nawaz’s return to Islamabad delayed due to fever and infection in one of his leg incisions
- Govt, opposition parties trash Imran Khan’s statement that nation would welcome army takeover
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s statement that the people of Pakistan would welcome a military takeover has landed him in hot waters as politicians belonging to both the ruling as well as the opposition parties – which, including the PTI, have been in a loose alliance against the government over the Panama Leaks issue – have strongly condemned the statement.
The opposition parties, who are scheduled to meet today (Tuesday) to discuss the Panama Leaks case have announced that the heads of the parties would not be attending the meeting and only their representative would be there. The opposition parties have included the Kashmir issue in the agenda for today’s meeting.
Meanwhile, Imran Khan, who is continuing with the election campaign in Azad Kashmir ahead of polling day on July 21, repeated his allegations of corruption against the government.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, on the other hand, is facing his own problems as it was announced by the PM House on Monday that his return to Islamabad has been delayed due to fever and infection.
The premier, who is currently in Lahore, “was due to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday but due to an infection in one of his leg incisions, he is suffering from fever,” a spokesperson for the PM House said.
The spokesperson added that doctors are treating the prime minister’s infection and he will travel to Islamabad as soon as his fever subsides.
Nawaz arrived in Pakistan last Tuesday after undergoing open-heart surgery at a London hospital on May 31.
RULING AND OPP PARTIES SLAM IMRAN KHAN’S MILITARY COUP STATEMENT:
Comparing the coup attempt in Turkey with the situation in Pakistan, Imran Khan had on Sunday said that people of Pakistan will celebrate and distribute sweets if the army takes over the country.
“Democracy in Pakistan is threatened by Nawaz’s monarchy and the people will celebrate and distribute sweets if the army takes over,” Imran had said while addressing a public rally in Azad Kashmir.
“IK is the 12th man of Pakistani politics. Awaiting a mishap to happen, so that he is asked to play. Otherwise he sits on the sidelines and sulks,” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif tweeted, minutes after Imran Khan’s speech.
Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal termed the PTI chief’s statement “a symbol of his political bankruptcy”. Iqbal added that the statement is tantamount to inciting the army for a rebellion.
Prime Minister’s daughter, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, lambasted Imran Khan by calling him “one of the biggest political sellouts of recent times”, adding that he is caged in a mindset which even the general public has broken free from.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Faisal Karim Kundi said it was an immature statement and the PTI chief should apologise to the nation.
Talking to APP, Kundi said democracy had returned to the country after enormous sacrifices rendered by democratic forces and his party will resist any undemocratic move to derail the democratic process.
APPLICATION FILED WITH POLICE AGAINST IMRAN’S ‘UNCONSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT’?:
A lesser know political party, Pakistan Justice Party (PJP) has reportedly filed an application in Lahore’s Anarkali police station, and has requested the police to register a case against Imran Khan over his ‘unconstitutional’ statement.
The application requests the police to register a case under Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy), Section 124 A (sedition) against Imran Khan as his statement calls for toppling a democratically elected government.
Police sources, however, denied receiving such an application from PJP.
CORRUPTION AT THE TOP IS LEADING PAKISTAN TOWARDS DESTRUCTION:
Addressing a public meeting on Monday held in connection with elections in Azad Kashmir, Imran Khan said accountability must start from the prime minister if corruption is to be eliminated from the country. He said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has been arresting small fish for the last 16 years and despite the arrests, corruption has increased. He said corruption will end when there is accountability of rulers in the country.
He said an independent Ehtesab Cell will be established in Azad Kashmir and accountability will start from Barrister Sultan Mehmood who will be made prime minister if the PTI wins the elections.
He said he would offer himself for accountability once he is elected prime minister of the country as that would set the right precedence.
He said that due to corruption, there are no medical facilities in hospitals and people are not getting justice.
Imran asked people to rise up above family and friendship and vote for the sincere people. He said the parties already tried in Azad Kashmir should not be given another chance.
He said that during the general elections campaign in Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif had committed to hold Asif Ali Zardari accountable for his money in the Swiss bank but no action was taken against him. He asked how a thief can make another thief accountabile.
He also announced to establish local government system in Azad Kashmir saying that the west is ahead in governance because of the local government system. He said decisions about the fate of Bagh should be taken in Bagh and not in Muzaffarabad.
NO PARTY HEAD TO ATTEND OPP’S JOINT MEETING ON PANAMA LEAKS TODAY:
Meanwhile, opposition parties, which have included Kashmir issue along with the Panama Leaks in the agenda for today’s meeting, have announced that the heads of the parties will not be attending the meeting and only their representative will be there.
According to reports, the coalition parties have also expressed reservations over the absence of PTI Chief Imran Khan in the session. The party’s delegation will consist of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Jahangir Tareen and Shireen Mazari.
The PPP delegation will be led by Syed Khursheed Shah as Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will not attend the meeting which has been convened by the PTI.
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chairman Chaudhry Shujat and Pervez Elahi will also not attend the meeting while the group will be led by Kamil Ali Agha and Tariq Bashir.
Similarly, Tariq Ullah will be a substitute for Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Sirajul Haq whereas the same delegation of the PPP will participate in the dialogue as had been constituted to decide the Terms of References (TORs) for the Panama Leaks probe.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s Khalid Maqbool, Senator Mian Ateeq, Senator Barrister Saif and Kanwar Naveed will be present in the session while Awami Muslim League’s group under Sheikh Rashid’s supervision will also take part in the dialogue.
Nawaz Sharif will not recover (read 'will keep hiding in Jati Umra') until he gets assurance of safe sailings in/through Panama Leaks.
Every time The PTI leader opens his mouth he puts his foot in it. His speeches should be vetted beforehand. The PM may be in trouble but there is no reason for inviting the Army through the back door!
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