Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said the country was at a tipping point and the decisions made today would, make or break Pakistan.
While addressing a ceremony hosted by All Pakistan Insaf Lawyers Forum in Islamabad, Imran reiterated that no country in the world can thrive if justice does not prevail. “The state of Madinah was based on the rule of law and no one there was above it, so prosperity is not possible without the rule of law,” the premier said.
Taking a jibe at the opposition, the premier said all the ‘unemployed’ politicians had come together to try and save their previous practices and added that the last decade in the country was brutal as those in power were looting the country.
He quoted former chief justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa saying that all institutions in the country had been paralysed by the politicians. “Why don’t I have any problem with Pakistan’s military?” the premier asked. “Conflict arises between Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Army as he tries to turn it into Punjab Police. The day we give them NRO, that would be the beginning of the downfall of Pakistan.”
The premier further said that Nawaz’s recent speeches against the military propagate Indian agenda.
“It is India’s mission to put Pakistan on FATF’s blacklist because sanctions would be imposed on us. I assure you, if someone is carrying that agenda, it is him [Nawaz Sharif],” the premier asserted.
Regarding the opposition announcement of holding countrywide protests, Imran said that they can do whatever they want but they would be jailed if they break the law.
He also urged the lawyers to participate in politics and gave the example of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. “Follow in his footsteps to lead this country to a better future.”
Imran said the opposition’s real issue with the military was that unlike other institutions, they were unable to “control” the Inter-Services Intelligence after the agency “found out” about their alleged corruption.
The premier said if he too “started laundering money” out of the country, the ISI would find out about it before anyone else “because it is the world’s top agency”.
“They (opposition) control all the institutions whose job it is to keep checks and balances, except one. They know the ISI is aware of all their theft. They try to control it and that’s where the conflict starts,” he added.
Prime Minister Imran once again mocked Nawaz over his claim that ex-ISI chief Zaheerul Islam had asked him to resign, saying: “Why did he (Islam) say that? And why did you (Nawaz) silently hear that? Because Zaheerul Islam knew how much money you had stolen.”
Imran Khan lashed out at former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for instigating his supporters to come out on the streets while he himself sits safe in London.
Speaking animatedly at the event, Imran alleged that the PML-N was handing out money to its supporters. “I want to tell these supporters to take money and even eat their qeemay ke naan: but stay inside [and do not come out to protest],” he said.
He lashed out at the opposition parties for sticking together “when they are being called to account for their crimes.”
“Two years after the [Panamagate] JIT was formed and the courts gave their verdict, he [Nawaz Sharif] says “Mujhay Kyun Nikala” (Why was I ousted?),” the prime minister said, making a reference to Nawaz Sharif’s frequent complaint against the Pakistani state.
The prime minister also hit out at Nawaz and Maryam Nawaz’s spokesperson Mohammad Zubair for comparing the PML-N supremo to deceased Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini.
“I was watching TV and he was comparing Nawaz Sharif to Ayatollah Khomeini during a talk show,” said PM Imran. “He [Zubair] was saying that Khomeini was also exiled,” noted the premier.
Taunting the PML-N chief, the prime minister jokingly remarked that one of his key ministers “cried” when she came to know Nawaz was suffering from so many diseases.
“We were in a cabinet meeting that lasted for six hours [on the Nawaz Sharif issue]. Doctors were also present in it.
