Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) supreme leader-Nawaz Sharif is playing a “dangerous game” by targeting Pakistan’s institutions, particularly the army at the behest of India.
“Nawaz Sharif is playing a dangerous game against Pakistan and I am 100% sure that India is supporting him,” the premier said during an interview with a private news channel on Thursday.
Convicted former prime minister Nawaz, who was allowed to fly to London for treatment late last year, broke his long silence last month, taking his vote ko izzat dau mantra to the next level by declaring that the opposition was up not against “selected prime minister” but against those who had brought him into power in the 2018 elections.
While responding to a question, PM Imran said that for the first time in the history his government has excellent ties with the military. “I don’t have any issues with army and it is our asset… during every crisis it [army] extended all-out support to my government.”
The premier also said unlike other institutions the Pakistan Army is the only well-managed and organised institute of the country. “The Pakistan Army played a major role in controlling Covid-19 and locusts in the country.”
PM Imran said many Muslim countries in the world are in chaos today “because they don’t have a strong military”. “If the Pakistan Army were not here our country would have been fallen apart into three pieces,” he remarked.
He said Nawaz Sharif’s sitting in London could resort to any extend to save his money and escape accountability process and added that for this reason the PML-N’s Quaid is targeting country’s institutions to bring them under pressure. “This is a turning point in our country’s history… all big thieves have joined hands to save their illicit money but I will not grant them NRO come what may,” he added.
PM Imran said the Pakistan Army stood by his all policies including his decision to open Kartarpur Corridor, Afghan policy and others. “Why Nawaz Sharif had always a dispute with army chiefs because he was involved in the corrupt practices and wanted to control them.”
On the opposition’s resignation demand, PM Imran reiterated that he will never succumb to the pressure and step down from his post. “They [opposition] only want the PM’s resignation because they think they can strike a deal with a new man. But they will never get a deal.” He added: “I am the only politician who won five seats from different constituencies of the country. Why should I resign on the whims of these looters.” At an all-party conference (APC) on September 20, the opposition parties upped the ante against the PTI-led federal government as they demanded immediate resignation of PM Imran and announced the formation of the PDM [Pakistan Democratic Movement] to begin a countrywide protest campaign.
