Islamabad: PTI Chairman Imran Khan has distanced himself from his chief of staff Shahbaz Gill’s controversial remarks aired on ARY News earlier this month, admitting that they were “wrong” and should not have been uttered.

Gill was arrested last week at Banigala Chowk in capital after a video clip of his controversial remarks, aired on ARY News, went viral on social media.

In an interview with journalist Fereeha M Idrees on GNN News , Imran said, “He [Gill] shouldn’t have said it because it falls under instigating Army, it is completely right we want to see Army as a strong institution.”

However, PTI chief contended that statements against establishment were also passed by coalition government leaders Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maryam Nawaz, Ayaz Sadiq, Nawaz Sharif and others in past.

“But what happened with them?”

Imran said he was “extremely upset” with treatment meted out at Gill in prison. “It is extremely painful.

I didn’t even know this. Our lawyers told us that his clothes were stripped off and he was beaten up.

“They are torturing and trying to mentally break him. And they are forcing him to give statements against Imran Khan,” ex-premier alleged.

He revealed that Gill was asked about “Imran and Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed’s meetings”.

Imran also claimed that everything that happened with Gill was a conspiracy to “scare PTI supporters” and “create an impression that PTI is against Army and martyrs”.

“This propaganda campaign was created in prime minister’s cell,” he alleged, adding that closure of ARY News was also part of conspiracy.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 16 2022

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