Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif Thursday called out Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, terming him the “biggest fraudster”.
“I can swear to God he [Khan] is a fraudster and has tried to create rifts in important institutions of Pakistan,” he said while addressing a press conference.
“I’m finally saying this today that the entire Opposition has been vindicated by God. And Imran Khan — who lies day and night — is a fraudster […] he had isolated the nation and played with it. He attacked the army and tried to create divisions,” the Premier said, mincing no words.
Shehbaz stated that the government wanted to show Imran’s “true face” to the nation. “The decision will be taken by you through the vote,” he reminded the public.
Recalling the no-confidence motion
Narrating the incidents that happened during the time of the no-confidence motion back in April, the premier said, “Let’s go back to April 3 when voting was to be held on the no-confidence motion and everybody knows the incidents that took place on that day. But I just want to narrate what exactly happened on that day.”
“I just want to tell you what happened that day. Before the voting [of the no-trust vote], the information minister at that time (Fawad Chaudhry) stood up and read a statement saying that a conspiracy was devised against the government […] its links were with a foreign power and the Opposition has brought about this motion.”
“On this, Suri sahab refused to allow the voting process to take place without even taking the Opposition into confidence,” PM Shehbaz went on to say, adding that the “hues and cries of the Opposition were ignored.”
Within no time, Imran came on television and announced the dissolution of National Assembly (NA). “Twenty minutes later, the president approved the summary.”
This was the basis of the conspiracy that Imran has been playing along with for the past five months and wasting the nation’s time, PM Shehbaz said. “Due to this game, Pakistan’s relations with the biggest powers of the world have been compromised,” he insisted.
He recalled that “baseless allegations” were levelled at several government leaders during this time. “You can say whatever you want, but calling someone a traitor […] there is no bigger conspiracy than it.
“On the floor of the NA, I said that if God forbid this conspiracy was proved against me or the coalition, then the nation has the right to hang me.”
Taking a jibe at President Dr Arif Alvi, the premier said that the president who takes days and weeks to approve summaries, including the one regarding the appointment of governor Punjab, passed the summary regarding the dissolution of assemblies within 20 minutes.
‘Cipher can’t be decoded’
The premier said that the cipher — which Imran claims contains details of a foreign conspiracy to oust him from power — can’t be decoded by the government.
“If it is, then all the cables from all embassies can be leaked or stolen,” he reasoned.
“Imran himself doesn’t know where it is.But his audio leaks have proven that there were four people behind the so-called conspiracy. What other evidence do you need,” he demanded.
The PM also revealed that the cabinet had decided to probe the audio leaks, adding that an investigation into the matter had already begun. “We will tell the nation [the findings] with complete transparency.”
Audio leaks have revealed Khan’s truth
Referring to the recent audio leaks, the premier said, “He can be heard saying that this is a game […] they can be heard saying that minutes of the meeting should be made up according to their wish.
“The country’s honour was sabotaged in such a manner that no such example is found in history […] this is nothing less than treason,” Shehbaz said, claiming that Imran played a “serious game with the country”.
“Tell me, is there any doubt after this that who was behind the conspiracy,” he asked.
Shehbaz said that two days after the PMO audio leaks, an ambassador from a friendly country came to meet him at the Prime Minister’s Office. “I had a discussion with him after which he highlighted that now no one would feel safe talking at the PMO.”
This, he continued, was not just a huge loss for the government but a loss that the nation would have to bear for decades to come.
Khan tried to divide the armed forces of Pakistan
PM Shehbaz also alleged that Khan tried to divide the armed forces of Pakistan.
“The army has rendered great and unparalleled sacrifices,” he said.
Indirectly referring to a business deal worth £190 million, the premier termed it the “biggest robbery in the history of the country”.
“A million pounds means around Rs5 billion have been robbed,” he added.
‘Army chief’s appointment as per Constitution’
The prime minister asserted that the appointment of the next army chief in November,will be done as per the Constitution.
“It [the appointment] has a process in the law and Constitution and the decision will be taken according to that.”
Country will be destroyed if Khan comes to power again
PM Shehbaz warned that if Khan once again comes into power, the “country will be destroyed”. The premier further added that the PTI chief has time and again defamed Pakistan.
“Is telling lies, committing frauds, and hatching conspiracies his [Khan’s] patriotism and leadership?” he asked, adding that a person who says he is perfect dies his own death.
“I am a sinner but I will never lie to the nation,” he said, adding that if he lies, the nation can hold him accountable.
‘Mian he will bring prosperity along with him’
Shedding light on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s return, he said: “When Mian will come, he will bring prosperity along with him.”
