On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif slammed his predecessor, PTI head Imran Khan, for “hatching a massive plot against Pakistan,” threatening legal action.
The Prime Minister, who was in Lahore for the second time since taking office, said in a late-night statement that those concocting a narrative against national institutions were the real Mir Jafars and Mir Sadiqs and that during his speech in Abbottabad on Sunday, Imran Khan had challenged the state, Constitution, and national institutions.
The Prime Minister said Imran’s actions could only be described as “conspiracy, not politics,” and that the plot was directed at the country rather than political opponents.
In an earlier interview with journalists and anchors in Model Town, he claimed his government had not yet decided whether to extend its term until August 2023 or call early elections.
“A decision would be made in conjunction with government allies,” the PM stated, implying that the PML-N and its partners were split on the issue.
PML-N ministers such as Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Rana Sanaullah had said unequivocally that the general election will take place when the government’s term ended in August next year, but senior PML-N politician Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that Nawaz Sharif favoured early polls. “And the next election should be conducted this October,” Dar remarked.
“Whether we have to have elections when the government’s term ends in August or hold early elections… this will be resolved in conjunction with partners,” he added.
The Prime Minister also hinted at running in the next elections with coalition partners.
“We would propose electoral reforms and also attempt to pull the PTI aboard,” he added of electoral reforms, “but given their track record, they may not become part of this consultation process.” He claimed that Imran Khan (the PTI chairman) has a tendency to reject everything.
The Army Will Not Be Drawn Into Politics
Shehbaz Sharif responded to a question by saying that the army should not get involved in politics.
“Army is a 220 million-strong institution, not a specific group.” It has made numerous sacrifices for the sake of the country. He stated that it should not be pulled into politics.
When questioned about the selection of a new army head once incumbent Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s term expires in November, the PM replied the subject was premature.
“The US is a superpower, and we want equal terms with it,” PM Shehbaz stated in response to a query on Imran Khan’s anti-America message. An anti-US narrative has no place here. Imran is not Einstein, and the country should not blindly follow him in everything.”
“It is regrettable that if a ruler goes to nations like Saudi Arabia, it is believed that he goes there to beg [for money],” Mr Shehbaz said of his trip to the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
He chastised Imran Khan for enraging Beijing, stating, “On CPEC, the Imran administration irritated China enormously.” He stated, “I am intending to visit China shortly to restart efforts to resurrect CPEC.”
Imran’s protest and Nawaz’s homecoming
“The court will resolve the charges of Nawaz Sharif,” he said, denying that his administration was making any attempt to grant relief to the former PM and his elder brother Nawaz Sharif, who has been in self-exile in London since November 2019.
“Nawaz Sharif would return to Pakistan following the completion of his medical treatment,” the PM stated in response to a query regarding his likely homecoming after his party took power over the nation.
The prime minister categorically rejected Imran Khan’s protest plan.
“We will not let Imran or anybody else destabilise the country.” Any unconstitutional or criminal activities committed by him (Imran) would be dealt with harshly.”
“Let me make it clear, we have no word of ‘victimisation’ in our lexicon,” the premier remarked in response to a query about if corruption investigations were being filed against Imran and his party members.
