Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif—who is currently in Saudi Arabia—has said that Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is using the tragic killing of senior journalist Arshad Sharif for “petty politics”.
His statement has come after Khan’s comments about Sharif’s death, terming it “a targeted killing”.
Taking to Twitter, the Premier said: “Imran Niazi is playing a dangerous game. He is using the tragic killing of Arshad Sharif for petty politics and going to the extent of casting aspersions on state institutions.”
PM Shehbaz further said that the PTI chief should wait for the findings of the Judicial Commission which was constituted to probe the death of the slain journalist.
‘Mujhe pata hai target killing ki gayi hai’: Imran Khan on Arshad Sharif’s death
On October 25, Khan claimed that the killing of journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif was a targeted killing, stressing that he himself warned the newsman that his life was under threat.
Addressing an Insaf Lawyers Forum (ILF) convention in Peshawar, Khan said, “Jo marzi log kahein, mujhe pata hai target killing ki gayi hai” (Whatever people say, I know it was target killing), adding that “Arshad knew that his life was in danger, he was repeatedly warned. I told him too but despite that, he didnt step back even once or get scared,” he said in the speech.
During the convention, Khan further said Arshad Sharif was the journalist he respected the most, using the term “martyred” for the late television host.
Imran Khan heaped laurels on the slain journalist, calling him brave and pointing out that he put his life in danger but stayed on the path of justice “People threatened him, offered him money but he didnt change his stance,” Imran Khan revealed.
“I told him to leave the country, but he did not listen,” Khan shared.
“Sharif also criticised me, when he used to think I was wrong”, the PTI chief said.
“Then I received information that they were about to kill him. They invaded his home and scared him in front of his family just so that he doesn’t speak the truth,” the former premier claimed.
Imran said Sharif left the country but was being called back when his visa in the UAE was about to expire. “Not because he committed a crime but just so he doesn’t speak the truth. And they wanted to do the same with him what they did with Azam Swati, Shahbaz Gill and Jameel Farooqui,” Imran added.
He repeatedly urged the lawyers’ community at the convention to take a stand. “You people have more responsibility because you know justice and the role of law more than the citizens.”
“I will fight these cruel people till my last breath”, he said, adding that Allah has not given us the choice of being neutral.
On Monday, Khan tweeted: “Arshad Sharif’s murder has sent shockwaves across Pakistan. It has highlighted an ongoing targeting of anyone who dares to criticise or question those holding power. When will our senior Judiciary act to ensure our citizens’ fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution are protected”.
On October 23, Arshad Sharif was killed in Kenya in a reported shooting incident by the country’s police.
