London: In a press conference held in London, Pakistan’s defense minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, launched a sharp critique against the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, accusing him of seeking power through foreign influence, specifically the support of the United States.
Khawaja Asif stated that Imran Khan is now attempting to return to power by riding on the backs of American support, a sharp contrast to his earlier stance of rejecting foreign intervention. He pointed out that when Khan’s government faced challenges, he turned to the United States for assistance, which Khawaja Asif described as an act of political opportunism. The minister also touched upon the aftermath of the violent events of May 9, 2023, when large-scale attacks occurred targeting military and civilian installations across Pakistan. Asif revealed that military courts had sentenced 25 individuals involved in the attacks, and videos of these individuals were available as evidence. He emphasized that the delay in prosecuting the perpetrators was due to judicial processes but expressed confidence that justice would ultimately prevail. Discussing the broader political landscape, Asif reflected on the 2018 general elections, where he claimed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party came to power with the help of the military establishment, a claim that has been widely discussed in political circles. He accused the former government of widespread corruption, adding that Khan’s tenure was marked by significant economic mismanagement and corruption at its peak.
The defense minister also commented on the controversial Panama Papers case, labeling the judiciary’s handling of the case as a source of shame for Pakistan’s legal system. He pointed out that despite these controversies, Khan’s popularity among certain sections of the public remains undiminished, though he urged people to look at his past to understand the true nature of his leadership.
On the issue of the 190 million pounds allegedly transferred to property tycoons, Khawaja Asif insisted that these funds were meant for the payment of dues but were rerouted by Khan’s government to enrich specific business interests. Asif also acknowledged the significant contribution of the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre but warned that a leader who constantly takes U-turns cannot be considered effective or trustworthy. Lastly, Asif detailed the involvement of trained individuals in the May 9 attacks and reiterated that the mastermind behind the plot was someone closely linked to the military establishment. He called for swift justice to be delivered in these cases, highlighting the severity of the attacks on the country’s sensitive installations. In conclusion, the defense minister stated that while the PTI government had been removed through a no-confidence motion, the previous PML-N government under Nawaz Sharif had been ousted through a “conspiracy,” further igniting political debates in the country.
