Maryam, Fazl allege PTI of receiving foreign funds

ISLAMABAD: Another power show demonstrated by 11-member political parties opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) outside the Election Commission in Islamabad on Tuesday was one point agenda that is exposing the ruling party of receiving foreign funding. The main political parties Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PDM Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman directly mentioned the names of India and Israel for providing funds to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) but again providing any evidence in support of their allegations.

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz alleged that money from both countries came into the accounts of Imran Khan’s employees through ‘hundi’. She said that having received funding from India, Imran Khan was hopeful of Narendra Modi winning the 2019 elections. She alleged that BJP’s man Inderjit was the instrumental of providing finance like she mentioned a name who was the provider of funds from Israel.

She accused the Prime Minister of operating 23 bank accounts under his name and concealing his crime from the ECP. She alleged that the scrutiny committee denied releasing facts about the case because Imran Khan did not permit it. “The one who called us thieves, turned out to be the biggest thief himself”, she added.

Maryam Nawaz said the PDM parties had gathered outside the ECP to remind it of its constitutional obligations.

Commenting on the size of the crowd, she asked whether there had been a “misunderstanding” that the PDM’s planned long march was being held today. “From the huge size of the crowd, I feel like you had that misconception. If this is a protest rally, look and think what the condition will be when the public reaches here for the long march,” she told the rally.

She said that a long list of Imran Khan’s crimes came to light before the ECP’s scrutiny committee, but it had been instructed to go easy on him. That is why the scrutiny committee has been investigating for three years.

Maryam Nawaz said that the shocking revelations should have prompted a decision within three days. During the 80 hearings of the case, Imran Khan sought stay of proceedings 24 times. This shows that his conscience was not clear and that he was hiding something, she said.

Maryam continued her criticism of the Prime Minister, saying that he was responsible for the destruction of Pakistan and the public knew know who imposed him on 220 million people. She said that Pakistan was changing and its people have stood up for the sake of democracy.

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also alleged PTI of receiving funds from Israel and India. He said that PTI government is illegitimate and announced to continue the movement till its end.

He said, “We have tied turbans to raise our heads.” If there is no respect, then these turbans should be taken off. The movement against the rulers is jihad in terms of Shariah, we will not back down from it, we have to stay in the circle and stay in the field of jihad against thief rulers , he added.

Fazlur Rehman said that we have to struggle to get nation out of this predicament. Today, the political leadership is united for bright future of Pakistan. We will pursue them, bring warmth to the movement. We have learned to walk with our heads high, not bowed.

He said that these rulers are ugly stains on the forehead of Pakistan, even if we have to wash these stains with blood, we will wash them. If anyone is a coward, get out of our ranks and go to your homes with your wives.

The PDM chief, despite warnings from Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, announced that madrassa students would be brought to the rallies, saying that religious madrassas want to learn positive politics. If religious schools do not go to rallies, then shall they raise guns. Madrassa students and teachers have responded to our call, he added.

He said that he staged a historic demonstration on Shahra-e-Dastoor today and would show solidarity with Kashmiris on February 5.

Fazlur Rehman said that an opposition delegation will present a memorial draft prepared by Zafarullah Khan to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ECP.

Earlier, addressing a press conference with Maryam Nawaz after a PDM steering committee meeting in Islamabad, Maulana Fazlur Rehman has termed the foreign funding case as the ‘biggest scandal in the history of the country’ and said that Imran Khan had created political instability by taking “Mother of NROs”.

He said that the meeting discussed the strategy of PDM’s protest before the Election Commission. “On Tuesday, the PDM leadership will stage a massive protest in front of the Election Commission of Pakistan”, he added.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman alleged that Imran Khan was the main accused in the foreign funding case in which private business was done through a secret account. He said that PDM will protest in front of the ECP office and demand an early verdict as the delay is raising suspicions.

Informing about the decisions taken by the PDM steering committee, he said that on January 21, there will be a million march rejecting Israel followed by a rally in solidarity with Kashmiris on February 5 at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi. “There will be a full-scale protest against those who sold off Kashmir”, he said.

He further said that historic rallies would be held in Hyderabad on February 9, Sialkot on February 13, Pishin on February 16, Sargodha on February 23, Khuzdar on February 27, followed by the decision to march towards Islamabad. The final date for the Long March will be announced at the PDM rally, said Fazlur Rehman.

While addressing the crowd earlier, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal lashed out at the PTI government, which he said was “imposed on Pakistan through illegal money”.

“Our social fabric has been destroyed, economy has been destroyed, CPEC has been destroyed. Time has come to send home this incompetent, inefficient, selected leader.”

Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan leader Owais Noorani in his remarks said the entire nation was “anxious” that the PTI foreign funding case that was pending for six years was not being decided. He said the rally was demanding “accountability” from the ECP, which he accused of “holding back” election results after the end of polling to allegedly ensure the opposition’s defeat.

Also addressing the rally, Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) president Sardar Akhtar Mengal said the PDM was asking “supremacy of the Constitution” and its supporters had gathered today “to get the Constitution implemented on which the country is standing”.