LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and Former Prime Minister Imran Khan berated incumbent government, saying that rulers are nervous about appointment of Army Chief. Imran said establishment exercises absolute authority in Pakistan compared to civilian setups.

Imran said Army Chief wanted Pakistan to vote against Russian invasion of Ukraine at United Nations while he was of view that abstaining would be a better option. He said that Army Chief also informed him of American pressure on matter. I told Army Chief that Pakistan should follow independent foreign policyPTI Chief admitted that as Prime Minister he failed to achieve results from his anti-corruption campaign.

He criticised military media wing for responding to his statement on Army Chief’s appointment that he had made during his Faisalabad address, saying he had never given any statement against Army as an institution.

Speaking to a delegation of journalists at his residence in Zaman Park, PTI Chief said that there were differences with establishment for not removing Usman Buzdar from post of Punjab Chief Minister, adding that establishment and government were on same page on matters of foreign policy. PTI Chief said that differences occured after his return from Russia.Talking about an assassination attempt on him in Wazirabad, Imran Khan stated that he was certain he was shot by a sniper, adding that there were multiple assailants. He further said that JIT has started an investigation into matter, adding that Punjab CM Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is not responsible for non-filing of an FIR.

Giving his take on country’s economy, Imran said that fear of Pakistan’s default increases because economy cannot be put on right track due to political instability, but only entity on which Pakistan’s economy is heavily dependent is Overseas Pakistanis.

On other side, PTI Chairman Imran Khan has appealed to his supporters within country and Overseas Pakistanis to provide funds for his ‘Haqeeqi Azaadi’ movement.

In this regard, former premier stressed need for fundraising or collection of money to make movements like this ‘Haqeeqi Azaadi’ a success.

PTI’s post on Twitter mentioned website for funding over PTI long march also shared Imran’s video message.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 18 2022

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