Imran nothing more than a ‘political beggar’ to masses, says Rashid

ISLAMABAD: Responding to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s speech at F-9 Park, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid on Sunday calls the former nothing more than a ‘political beggar’ to masses, who wants to create chaos to impede progress of Pakistan.

In a statement issued here, he said Imran Khan was taking revenge from masses for not electing him as their prime minister.

“Prime Minister’s bold decisions have turned Imran Khan into a mental patient,” said Rashid, adding that the announcement to hold across the board accountability has shaken the PTI chairman.

The minister said they will not allow Imran Khan to hide his corruption, and that of his cronies.

“Imran Khan is an enemy of democracy… he should not talk about democracy.”

The information minister vows to not let Imran Khan hide behind Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust Hospital, saying: “PTI chief’s lie has been unmasked by Prime Minister’s truth.”

Addressing a news conference flanked by Special Assistant to Prime Minister Barrister Zafarullah earlier in the day, the federal minister had brushed aside the objections raised by the opposition parties on the Terms of Reference for the formation of a Judicial Commission on Panama Papers’ disclosures.

He said the letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan has been written as per the demand of the opposition parties.

The ToRs have also been framed keeping in view the public demand as the whole nation wants across the board accountability of all corrupt practices, he added.

Pervaiz Rashid said only the upright people will accept and dishonest and corrupt will reject the commission.

“Those who plundered the country are now running away from the commission. Had the companions of Imran Khan not been involved in corruption, they would not have raised objections on the commission,” said the minister.

He said the space of political opponents for the 2018 general elections was shrinking due to the massive development agenda being pursued and implemented by the PML-N government.

“It is the vision of Imran Khan to resort politics of allegations and lies to create space for his party while our vision is that of progress and development,” he said.

The information minister regretted that obstacles were first created in the way of development on the pretext of electoral rigging and now on Panama Papers.

Responding to a question, he said the government was in contact with the political parties on the matter of Panama Leaks and their genuine demands regarding fair and transparent probe will be accommodated.