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Sunday, March 17, 2024

Imran celebrates and looks to surge ahead

News Analysis |

Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan warned former President Asif Zardari, the nominated interim prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and premier in-waiting Shahbaz Sharif of the hammer of accountability. Khan addressed a massive crowd in Islamabad, which was called to celebrate the ouster of Nawaz Sharif, who was disqualified by the Supreme Court on violation of Article 62 of the Constitution.

The PTI chairman said the PML-N should not think that with the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif the struggle was over. “I will come after you (Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Shahbaz Sharif) now,” he said.

Khan said that he surge was not against the Sharif family but against corruption, dishonesty, and nepotism. “Asif Ali Zardari, I caution you that after Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Shahbaz Sharif your turn is next,” Khan said. He also said that JUI-F Chief, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman will also be brought to book.

He said that PML-N did not bring Zardari to account because the big wigs in both parties were involved in money laundering galore.He said the PTI’s war against corruption was far from over but added the party would certainly win that war.

The PTI chairman said the PML-N should not think that with the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif the struggle was over. “I will come after you (Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Shahbaz Sharif) now,” he said.

Read more: The interim prime minister; no stranger to corruption charges

Of hope and steadfastness 

Khan implored an enthusiastic gathering to fight against the wrong and not be deterred by failures, for they teach you something important for the future.

He also called upon his fellow countrymen to be optimistic for a bright future ““When we decided to move against Nawaz in the Panamagate case, everyone said it was a mistake because, in the past, the powerful and mighty ones have been protected. But today I salute the court for giving hope to people for a new Pakistan,” he said.

“She (Jemima Khan) was 21 years old; she embraced Islam; left her home and came to Pakistan. They declared him a representative of the Jewish lobby; nominated in a false case of smuggling tiles and registered an FIR against her. She was pregnant at that time,”Khan saidd.

He berated Raja Farooq Haider, the premier of Azad Kashmir for his alleged comments regarding revisiting his thoughts about merging with Pakistan owing to Nawaz’s disqualification. Khan said he should be ashamed of his statement in support of a corrupt mafia. He said that the statement amounts to treachery with the great sacrifices rendered by the Kashmiris for freedom.

Read more: End of Charter of Democracy?

He castigated the Sharifs for asking foreign countries to save his skin and pointed out to the Dawn Leaks as a case in point. In addition, Khan lamented the fact how Sharifs pestered his ex-wife Jemima Khan, which led to his eventual divorce and distance from his sons.

“This is the reality behind their innocent faces. I lost my children as my wife had to leave because of difficult life in Pakistan. Money is everything to them (Sharifs) — but for me, my children [are dearer],” he said.

“She (Jemima Khan) was 21 years old; she embraced Islam; left her home and came to Pakistan. They declared him a representative of the Jewish lobby; nominated in a false case of smuggling tiles and registered a FIR against her. She was pregnant at that time,” Khan said.

“This is the reality behind their innocent faces. I lost my children as my wife had to leave because of difficult life in Pakistan. Money is everything to them (Sharifs) — but for me, my children [are dearer],” he said.

He also expressed grief at how N league targets Shaukat Khanum, a hospital which he said was made by generous people, children, poor and all. He said that if they find embezzlement in the hospital, they should send us to jail instead of accusing.

Read more: A moral judgment?

Election Campaigning begins 

Khan dished out his vision for a “naya” Pakistan. He said that the country would not take but give aid. He said that measures will be taken to bring-in justice, accountability and reforms in health and education.

The litmus test will be in the by-elections of NA-120, where Khan feels that his candidate, Dr. Yasmin will defeat Shahbaz Sharif who has been pinned to take the reins from Abbassi. PTI has been often criticized for its unwillingness to fight over the ballot; the activities of Khan from now onwards will most likely be geared towards the very end-state.

He said that the anti-corruption drive would start from himself; a uniform tax culture would be introduced, and nobody would be spared of accountability. He also said symbols of colonialism in governor houses will be converted into libraries and resorts.

Khan’s speech gave enough indications that though Nawaz’s fall is a big attainment, the main fight will be in next year’s elections. PTI has seemingly started their election campaign based on a two-pronged strategy. One that it will keep the pressure on N League and keep it embroiled in court cases regarding corruption.Two that it would galvanize support for its manifesto of a Naya Pakistan. The litmus test will be in the by-elections of NA-120, where Khan feels that his candidate, Dr. Yasmin will defeat Shahbaz Sharif who has been pinned to take the reins from Abbassi. PTI has been often criticized for its unwillingness to fight over the ballot; the activities of Khan from now onwards will most likely be geared towards the very end-state.

https://youtu.be/I33gWJ68M-4

(Video Credit: youtube, Din News)