SIALKOT: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday challenged the Punjab and Sindh to meet the high standard of governance set by their KP counterpart.
“It’s an open challenge to the governments of Sindh and Punjab who have come into power six times each to meet our standards,” Khan said while addressing a mammoth gathering of supporters in Sialkot.
Kaptaan said Nawaz Sharif cannot go against corruption because he is the first one to be caught if he decides to act against it.
On Saturday, Nawaz had said Pakistan was rife with corruption but investigating it would divert the government’s focus from development.
The skipper said, “Only a country that ceases and shuns corruption is able to witness development.”
Kaptaan added, “I can tell you how this country can prosper again, and that is through strengthening the institutions.”
The Pakistani nation, Imran reiterated, is becoming poorer as the rulers become richer. “Change does not come only by cutting ribbons,” Imran said while referring to the premier’s statement that his rivals may indulge in political point-scoring while he continues to inaugurate uplift projects.
“A small segment of the society is laundering the hard-earned money of the masses abroad,” he added.
In his statement on May 6, the premier said, “There are so many corruption cases that the more you try to count them, the harder it seems.” He added, “But one day, those behind these cases will meet their fate,” and asked “In this country, so many cases of corruption and embezzlement need investigation – which one should be probed first?”
Political parties have escalated their campaign against the Sharifs following the Panamagate verdict on April 20 which ruled that the PM and his sons, Hasan and Hussain will have to appear before a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to record their statements.
Kaptaan said Pakistan will lose its freedom if it keeps on taking loans from other countries.
The PTI chairman was addressing a rally in Sialkot. “If Nawaz takes steps against corruption then he would get caught himself,” jibed Imran.
Imran said that he was happy to see the gathering, saying that he is grateful to the people especially women who came to the gathering. “Here (Sialkot) people have political awareness,” he said. If taxes are raised then inflation will rise too, he said, adding that those nations prosper who strengthen its institutions.
