Former prime minister Imran Khan accused the coalition government on Saturday of milking the latest wave of terrorism for “political mileage”
In a televised address, the chairman of the PTI asserted that terrorism was at its lowest point ever during his administration. But had reemerged with a vengeance under the “present system.”
“Observe how the graph of terrorism decreased during the PTI administration,” he stated. Why was there no terrorism when the PTI was in charge of the federal government?
Imran blamed current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the rise in terrorism as he recalled the sacrifices made by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the fight against terror.
“This is why they (the KP public) flooded the streets yesterday in fear of another operation”. He added, adding that countless innocent lives are lost during anti-terror operations.
The PTI president called PM Shehbaz’s weekend cabinet meeting on KP’s terrorism financing “lies.”
“KP spent Rs600 billion during the course of nine years. Imran stated, “We established four police training schools, an elite training school in Nowshera, and a special combat force to confront terrorists.” “This is the reason terrorism declined. 2017 also saw the establishment of a DNA lab at Khyber Medical College.
Commenting on the National Finance Commission (NFC) grant, the ex-prime minister stated that just two provinces, Punjab and KP, fulfilled their obligation and provided funds for the development of tribal districts.
Imran stated that Sindh and Balochistan did not contribute funds. “We spent Rs55 billion on the tribal districts. The PDM government donated only Rs5 billion.”
“Jail Bharo Party”
Imran also proclaimed a “Jail Bharo Tehreek” as the next stage for the PTI given the current political climate. In which a number of its prominent officials and friends are incarcerated.
The PTI leader elaborated on the movement by stating, “Instead of crowding the streets, being aggressive, and looting buildings, we will now fill the country’s prisons.”
In this manner, he stated, the federal government’s “new pastime” of imprisoning every prominent PTI leader will also be satisfied.
Imran stated, “The entire party and the people should prepare for the Jail Bharo Tehreek.” “As soon as I give the signal, everyone will exit and turn over their arrests to the authorities.”
The announcement follows the arrests of several PTI leaders and allies over the previous several months, beginning with Shehbaz Gill and continuing with the detentions of Senator Azam Swati, Fawad Chaudhry, and Sheikh Rashid.
To persuade the incumbent administration to hold elections. Imran had promised a similar action in October, but it did not go as planned.
Meanwhile, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi stated, “On the call of Chairman Imran Khan, we will fill the jails of the entire nation.”
The former foreign minister stated in a tweet that this “fascist imported government” demand will likewise be met.
“Handcuffs and torture are nothing,” he stated, adding that he is willing to give his life for his nation.
Marriyum attributes the nation’s ills to Imran.
Separately, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that the nation was suffering challenges due to the PTI leader’s “irresponsible policies.”
Radio Pakistan said that the PML-N leader was holding a press conference in Islamabad alongside Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Faisal Karim Kundi.
She criticized the previous PTI-led government in KP for failing to equip the provincial police and the Counter Terrorism Department.
She was reported in the newspaper as adding, “Despite having sufficient money from the federal government. PTI did not take necessary action against terrorism.”
The minister criticized Imran for jailing his political opponents on false charges.
SAPM Kundi described the duration of the PTI government in KP as “corrupt,” adding that he has asked the interim-KP government to investigate the corruption of the PTI administration.
He stated that Imran was only seeking the limelight by criticizing the previous president Asif Ali Zardari.