Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated in a speech to the National Assembly on Tuesday that he is of the firm belief that talks between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan will only be possible if the former leader admits his “wrongdoings” and apologizes to the public for everything he has said and done.
Khan was referred to as a “fraud” by the prime minister, who claimed it was “impossible to talk” with someone who had “looted the country, attacked the judiciary, and did not believe in the Constitution and justice” until Khan made a public apology to the populace and acknowledged that he had harmed the nation and the Constitution.
“I believe no discussions can be held with a person who consistently and condescendingly rejects invitations for talks on everything — be it COVID-19, the state of terrorism in the country, the apex committee meeting or the Kashmir conference,” PM Shehbaz added.
“In a democracy, we have no weapons, merely dialogue, the PM said, emphasising that it was not possible to give in to Khan; “however, we are short on time.”
Shedding light on the recent fiasco witnessed during the court proceeding of the PTI chief, the premier said that a certain “favourite” does not appear before any court, no matter how many notices have been issued to him.
“He gets an extension in different courts in the dark of the night and makes a mockery of the judiciary,” PM Shehbaz lamented, criticising Khan for his remarks against a sitting woman judge and the fact that no action has been taken in this case so far.
“Khan made false cases against the opposition when he was in government and signed an agreement with the IMF [International Monetary Fund] and violated it,” the premier said listing down the wrongdoings of the PTI government.
PM Shehbaz regretted that the PTI chief has been “blackmailing the judiciary through violent tactics”, adding that Khan does not recognise the law and constitution and was not surrendering before the courts.
“Instead of facing the cases against himself, Imran Khan is attacking law enforcement agencies,” he added.
Calling out Khan for pushing the country towards bankruptcy, the premier reiterated that the current coalition government “saved the country”.
“Today, the IMF is taking guarantees from us at every step. We have fulfilled all the conditions of the IMF. Congratulations to the finance minister who finalised the terms of the deal with the Fund,” he said.
The premier — while emphasising the need to steer the country out of its current dire straits — urged the House to fulfil its constitutional responsibility to protect the country from constitutional and political crisis.
He told the members of the lower house that the pillars of the state will have to play their role for this purpose.
“Our constitution clearly protects the separation of powers, while at present, some judicial verdicts are openly violating the constitution by supporting PTI in all cases,” he said, adding that certain legislation should be made to strengthen rule of law in the country.
Regarding the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to delay the polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa till October 8, the premier justified the electoral body’s decision by saying that the decision has been taken keeping in view the resurgence of terrorism in the country.
“No political party can run away from the elections, as polls are the beauty of a democracy,” he said.
