JAMRUD: Prime Minister Imran Khan challenged former president Asif Ali Zardari and his son Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto to spend one week in a container.
“I invite you to come to the Islamabad and hold the sit in. I have asked for the container to be cleaned up and will also provide food for you,” the prime minister said as he challenged Zardari and Bilawal to spend at least one week in a container.
The prime minister was reacting to statements made by Zardari and Bilawal over toppling the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government if the 18th amendment was abolished.
During an event to mark the death anniversary of PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the former president said it was time for them to march to Islamabad as Prime Minister Khan had already taken the country back 50 years.
Referring to the ruling PTI’s demonstration in 2014, the PPP leader further commented: “We won’t be staging sit-ins like the ones they used to stage that they would go home in the evening.
“We will lay down on the roads and will only return when they’re forced out of the government. Don’t let your patience falter, will very soon start a campaign to oust them.”
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in his address vowed to topple the government if the 18th amendment was rolled back.
“If 18th Amendment was rolled back or efforts were made to impose One-Unit, then I will end your government in one stroke,” Bilawal said.
‘Paying off past governments’ loans’
The prime minister during his address in Jamrud said his government has to pay Rs6.5 billion as interest on the loans taken by past governments. He assured that the country would be out of this difficult phase in the next few months.
Prime Minister Khan stated that the Sharif family had over Rs100 billion abroad. He said the children of Nawaz Sharif live in houses worth billions.
He added that Asif Ali Zardari had Rs100 billion in fake accounts.
“The PML-N and PPP are applying pressure because they want an NRO.”
The prime minister was also critical of former finance minister Ishaq Dar commenting on the country’s economy as he had fled the country.
‘Afghanistan needs neutral interim government’
The prime minister also spoke on the need for an interim government in Afghanistan of neutral people.
“My advice for an interim government in Afghanistan was not received well,” he said.
Khan said he was making a brotherly suggestion to the people and government of Afghanistan, adding that this should not be considered interference.
‘Rs100 billion to spent annually on tribal areas’
Prime Minister Khan announced that for the next ten years Rs100 billion would be spent annually on the tribal areas.
He told the residents of Jamrud that more sports grounds would be built in the area and the Jabba Dam would provide water to 1 million people. “The Bara Dam will also be completed soon.”
According to Prime Minister Khan, he would only make announcements he could deliver on.
