GUJARAT: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday once more warned the government against “victimizing” leaders of PTI, and if they continued to do so, his movement would head to Islamabad and “no leader will be able find any place to hide”.
Firing broadsides at the government at a public gathering in Gujrat, the stronghold of allies PML-Q, Imran said the “cruel treatment” of his party leader Shahbaz Gill, Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh and journalists like Jameel Farooqui should stop, warning that the continuation of such actions would have consequences.
He said the coalition government won’t “win this match come what may”. Imran called upon the youth of the country to “gear up” for the challenge ahead and prepare themselves for the movement against the government — whom he repeatedly called “imported”. “This imported government took charge of the government through a conspiracy and their main aim was to quash their corruption cases,” Imran said, while urging people to take to the streets in large numbers when he signals them. He bashed the incumbent government for complaining about inflation when the PTI was in power.
“Petrol was priced at Rs150 per litre and diesel was being sold at Rs145/litre during PTI days in power. This imported government raised fuel prices to more than Rs80 in just four months,” he lamented.
He maintained that his government was also pursuing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme but “we did not allow inflation to explode”. Imran claimed he was ousted as he wanted “people-friendly foreign policy”.
“If Russia gives us oil at 30 per cent discount then why I should not buy it? If India can purchase oil at cheaper rate, then why cant we?” he asked.
Calling PM Shehbaz Sharif, PPP chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and Maulana Fazlur Rehman the “three stooges”, Imran said the trio “colluded with their foreign bosses” to topple an elected government in order to get reprieve in corruption cases.
The PTI chief said he was trying to “awaken” the nation for real freedom. He said it was commendable to note that people had been sensitised about issues. “I am hopeful this revolution will take this country to a point which was envisioned by our founding fathers,” he added. –Agencies
