Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif once again offered olive branch to PTI Chief Imran Khan saying that he is ready to set aside all differences for sake of country.

Addressing press conference here along with federal ministers, PM Shehbaz said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar recently held meeting with President Arif Alvi, who belongs to PTI, with his permission.

One hundred steps can be taken forward for Pakistan. All differences can be set aside, he said. PM also said both parties government and oppositionneed to come forward in order to initiate dialogue.

He [Imran Khan] is very egocentric person who only cares about his personal interests and he can stoop to any level for his vested interests, premier however remarked in same breath.

Prime Minister said that Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa was benefactor of Imran Khan, but former premier turned against former Army Chief. Speaking of new COAS General Asim Munir, PM Shehbaz hoped that new Army Chief will strengthen institution according to Constitution and law, terming latterâ future bright. Shehbaz Sharif after British publication Daily Mail’s apology said it was “Heartless” approach by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his “minions” when they got involved with Daily Mail. “They thought that if this damaged Pakistan’s reputation, it won’t matter. They wanted to embarrass Sharif family no matter what,” Shehbaz said. PM Shehbaz said from 2008-2018, United Kingdom’s Department for International Development provided 600 million pounds to Pakistan for flood affectees and most of that amount was given to Punjab. “That amount was spent in transparent manner. They aimed to prove that Shehbaz’s children laundered millions of rupees abroad. This is part of article.”

In same article, it is written that Shahzad Akbar ex-PM Khan’s aide on accountability had arranged tours for Daily Mail journalist David Rose, where he showed them condition of convicts residing in jails, PM Shehbaz said.

Prime Minister said when article was published in 2019, PTI’s ministers were upbeat about publication of article and started levelling baseless allegations against Sharif family. “And despite it being Sunday, DFIT issued clarification that nothing of sort happened. It is my knowledge that DFIT’s clarification was delayed by six hours on Imran’s directions. They wanted to slander me first.”

Fast forward, he said, as result of article, Pakistan was defamed and message was sent to global community that they should not send donations to country.

Then-home secretary Priti Patel’s version was also included in Mail’s article that called for an investigation into matter, he said, adding that following this, he announced going to UK court against this.

“This isn’t just an apology to me, this is an apology to 220 million people and mothers and daughters who were affected in floods,” premier noted.

On contrary, PM Shehbaz said Imran sold one-of-a-kind watch that Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman had gifted him when he was prime minister.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 13 2022

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