LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan lamented that nobody held mafias accountable. Addressing people through video link, he took a dig at incumbent government, saying. “It is clearly written in Constitution that elections will be held within 90 days. But rulers are making excuses by saying that country is short of money to hold elections.”  Khan lamented that country had been devastated by loot of ministers, saying, “In country, those in power take no time to get NRO.” Mafias in country were enjoying immunity in accountability as nobody held them accountable, he said.

Firing fresh broadside at former military command, Imran Khan  claimed that Chief of Army Staff General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa asked him to decry Russian invasion of Ukraine soon after his return from Moscow.

Giving details about his talks with ex-Army Chief, Imran, talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin about procurement of oil at cheaper rates but when I returned to Pakistan, then Chief of Army Staff asked me to condemn Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

In an address, Khan said when he advised Bajwa to stay Neutral like India in matter but ex-Army Chief himself started condemning Russia. Saying country gained independence in name of Islam, Khan said, “What led to European countries sweeping past Islamic countries?” he went on to say, “I am not religious scholar, but I have travelled world as result of my cricketing career.” Recalling significance of Riyasat-e-Madina, he said, “In Riyasat-e-Madina, minds of human beings were made independent mentally. Madina state was elevated on basis of principles, he added.

Highlighting prevailing practice of “Typical society,” Khan said, “We people give more prestige to those who can speak English with more fluency.”

He took a dig at political opponents, saying, “Country is witnessing quite an instability as people are being arrested.”

Drawing line of demarcation on malpractices in western countries and Singapore, Khan said, “Unlike in our country, there is no such practice of giving NRO to looters in west or Singapore.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 14 2023

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