'Written threat': PM Imran Khan exaggerated routine affair, says PTI dissident

• MNA Basit Bukhari says 'losing' PM Imran Khan is resorting to use religion in politics.
• MNA Ramesh Kumar advices premier to resign gracefully.
• Says PM Imran Khan embracing Elahi was  beyond his comprehension.

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KARACHI: PTI's dissident MNA Basit Bukhari, while referring to Prime Minister Imran Khan's claim of receiving a "written threat", said that the European Union's letter was a routine affair which the premier exaggerated beyond proportion.

Bukhari said this while responding to a question during Geo News programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath'.

He said that PM Imran Khan had resorted to using religion in politics when he realised that he has lost the game. The disgruntled MP vowed to make the no-confidence motion a success while predicting that the prime minister would be sent packing to Bani Gala next Monday.

Meanwhile, another dissident MNA Ramesh Kumar criticised PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, saying that he shouldn't have made loud claims if he eventually had to side with PM Imran Khan.

He said that PM Imran Khan embracing Pervaiz Elahi was beyond his comprehension.

Kumar mentioned the interview of the PML-Q leader earlier this month in which he had criticised the premier harshly. 

The minority lawmaker went on to say that the PM had always said that he would never remove Usman Buzdar from the post of Punjab chief minister, but now he has removed him.

He advised Imran Khan to resign gracefully. He was confident that the dissidents would stay firm on their commitment, and the one reneging on it would spoil their politics.

He wondered why state agencies could not dig out the conspiracy the PM talked about, but the ministry of foreign affairs did.

Moreover, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed claimed Imran Khan would play to the last ball, and predicted the dissidents would ultimately return to his side. He said Tariq Bashir Cheema has issues regarding his constituency. He is stubborn but the Chaudhry brothers would tackle him.

The minister said he had advised the prime minister to dissolve the Punjab Assembly. He suggested early elections because he believed the prime minister’s popularity is high.

He then went on to recount his services for the Chaudhry brothers, saying:

“We faced murder cases and spent years in filthy police stations, but never complained because it’s the worker who renders sacrifices (for the leader).”