HYDERABAD - Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, criticising Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Friday said the former president treated the people of Sindh like enemies.
Addressing a news conference in Hyderabad, the PTI chief said former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a great man, “but we will not let Zardari remain alive politically.” “People die, but Bhutto is still alive,” said Imran, mocking the PPP slogan: “Zinda Hai Bhutto Zinda Hai” (Bhutto is alive).
The PTI chief said Zardari mafia is sucking the blood of the people of Sindh. “Zardari and his sister, Faryal Talpur, are making money and people are scared of them,” said Imran Khan. He claimed the ruling party of Sindh will be defeated in the upcoming elections.
He also termed the tax amnesty scheme announced by the government Thursday a slap on the face of honest people. He said the only purpose of the move is to protect the black money of politicians in the ruling party.
He made similar remarks in a tweet earlier today, stating the questionable intent of the scheme was reflected in the deliberate confusion by the prime minister’s verbal reference to the scheme not being applicable to politically exposed persons while the doucment being circulated refers to ‘holders of public office and public servants’. He rejected the amnesty scheme and announced to challenge it in the court of law
In another tweet, Imran said this shows the move is aimed at protecting Nawaz and his cronies by giving them a way out to declare their ill-gotten wealth.
During the press conference, Imran also offered the National Accountability Bureau to probe the billion-tree project of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government as well as his alleged misuse of the provincial government’s helicopter.
The PTI chief asserted his assets were scrutinised by the Supreme Court for a year and he was declared ‘honest and truthful’.
Later, in the day, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Talal Chaudhry reacted to the PTI chief’s statements, claiming Imran Khan is one of the beneficiaries of the amnesty scheme. “Imran has whitened his black money,” alleged the PML-N leader.
The entire budget allocated for Punjab was spent by one person, Shehbaz Sharif, said Imran, accusing the chief minister of using funds for development work in a few selected areas.
Imran added 57 percent of the budget allocated to Punjab has been spent on Lahore only. He criticised the Sharifs, saying they were fooling the people. He said former premier Nawaz Sharif condemns the institutions, but Shehbaz praises them.
Imran was referring to Shehbaz’s recent statement about the chief of army staff, calling him a professional and straightforward person.
Talking about the election of the Senate chairman, Imran claimed PTI succeeded in its attempt to prevent a Pakistan People’s Party or Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate from becoming chairman.
About Sindh where PPP is in power Imran said its condition is the worst among all the four provinces. The level of poverty is the highest in Sindh where PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and his sister are subjecting the people to torture, the PTI chief alleged. He claimed the people of the province have decided to get rid of PPP.
Imran alleged Nawaz, Zardari and Khawaja Asif were involved in money laundering. The illegal transfer of money was plunging the country deeper into loans, he asserted.
Imran also condemned the recent attack in Kunduz, Afghanistan, saying such incidents will lead to anarchy. He averred the US attacks in Afghanistan were intensifying the problem.
Regarding the atrocities in occupied Kashmir, Imran said the voice for Kashmiris’ freedom movement should be raised across the globe.