PTI leaders are hitting back at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with PPP Co-Chairman and former President Asif Zardari for criticizing Imran Khan over his allegations against the Pakistan Army.
Taking to Twitter, senior PTI leaders have come to the defense of their Chairman, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, firing back at their political opponents while saying that Imran Khan did not attack the entire institution but named individuals.
Furthermore, PTI leaders also recalled instances where PPP and PML-N leaders also accused top Army officials of allegedly being a threat to them, and questioned PM Shehbaz and Asif Zardari’s criticism of Imran Khan for doing the same.
Read more: ISPR sets the record straight on ex-COAS Bajwa’s remarks on Pak Army
“The statements of Shahbaz Sharif and Asif Zardari are surprising, these two leaders standing on the crutch of the establishment do not realize what they are doing, every element of the rule of law has been buried in this country. Investigation of the named accused is fundamental, denying it is tantamount to burying the law,” PTI senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said.
شہباز شریف اور آصف زرداری کے بیانات حیران کن ہیں، اسٹیبلشمنٹ کی بیساکھی ہر کھڑے ان دونوں لیڈرز کو احساس نہیں وہ کیا کر رہے ہیں، اس ملک میں رول آف لاء کے ہر عنصر کو دفن کر دیا گیا ہے، عمران خان پر قاتلانہ حملے کے نامزد ملزمان سے تفتیش بنیادی بات ہے اس سے انکار قانون کو دفن کرنے کے… https://t.co/CLKz0aVqzw
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) May 8, 2023
“Did you utter a single word when your brother and niece were attacking the then Army chief and DGI by name in jalsas and blaming them for destroying Pakistan? Don’t try to hide behind the army to attack Imran Khan because you cannot compete with him politically,” PTI Secretary General Asad Umar tweeted in response to Shehbaz Sharif.
Did you utter a single word when your brother and niece were attacking the then Army chief and DGI by name in jalsas and blaming them for destroying Pakistan? Don't try to hide behind the army to attack Imran Khan because you cannot compete with him politically https://t.co/Tl6EsvExD0
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) May 8, 2023
Senior Vice President Dr Shireen Mazari responded to both Shehbaz Sharif and Asif Zardari in separate tweets. She said that Imran Khan never criticized anyone but only named individuals in his assassination attempts.
SS in cherry blossom mode forgets the constant attacks on State orgs like mly by PDM. IK has never criticised any State org but has named individuals involved in his assassination attempts & in Custodial Torture. Investigation & accountability of individuals strengthens State… pic.twitter.com/9EOaK2ry4D
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) May 8, 2023
AZ is shameless. He wanted US to come to his aid against Pak army. He wanted to send ISI chief to India for questioning. He threatened mly with "I will reveal all"(c video) & now he has gall to target IK who has not attacked State org but called out individuals involved in 2… pic.twitter.com/DsMRlCWrG8
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) May 8, 2023
Meanwhile, former KP minister for finance Taimur Khan Jhagra wrote a lengthy tweet. He argued that Imran Khan was merely exercising his rights as a citizen of Pakistan and referenced several incidents, including the inability of the former prime minister to register an FIR of his choice and numerous fake FIRs lodged against him.
Taimur Khan Jhagra also emphasized the importance of speaking up against wrongdoing by officers and protecting institutions. He hoped that Imran Khan’s words would be taken seriously for Pakistan’s sake.
We have to have the right to ask questions. Imran Khan has never humiliated or threatened any agency. Imran Khan is simply exercising his rights as a citizen of Pakistan.
When a former PM cannot register an FIR of choice after a murder attempt, because the people he wants… pic.twitter.com/XD6yWs85Fw
— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) May 8, 2023
Government slams Imran Khan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari and Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi have slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan’s serious allegations against the army.
Berating the PTI chief, the PM said that Imran Niazi’s act of routinely maligning and threatening the Pakistan Army and an intelligence agency for the sake of petty political gains is highly condemnable.
On the other hand, former president Asif Ali Zardari said the PTI chief has crossed all limits to defame institutions, which will not be tolerated anymore. Zardari said the allegations against the brave and distinguished officers of the Pakistan Army was an attack on the institution with which the whole of Pakistan stands.
Read more: Imran Khan never requested to meet Army Chief: Fawad Chaudhry
Meanwhile, Punjab Caretaker CM asserted that the interim government will not allow anyone to humiliate or threaten institutions and intelligence agencies in the province.
Imran Khan, while addressing a rally in Lahore, had alleged that a top ISI officer who tried to kill him twice was also involved in the brutal murder of senior journalist Arshad Sharif.