ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that PTI chairman Imran Khan’s rebuttal of the foreign conspiracy narrative was a reminder of the “vicious role he played to harm Pakistan’s external relations while pursuing his own petty politics”.
The premier was referring to Imran’s recent interview with the Financial Times, wherein Khan said he had left the regime change claim was ‘behind’ him now.
Khan, who has repeatedly claimed that an American conspiracy was behind his removal from office in April, said he now wanted a “dignified” relationship if re-elected.
“As far as I’m concerned it’s over, it’s behind me,” he said of the alleged conspiracy. “The Pakistan I want to lead must have good relationships with everyone, especially the United States,” asserted Khan.
In a tweet today, the premier said that the nation was shocked by Imran’s “deceit and treachery inflicting irreparable damage on Pakistan”.
Meanwhile, other government mouthpieces on Monday threatened former premier and PTI chief Imran Khan for consequences over what they called backtracking on his ‘false narrative’ of regime change in Pakistan.
Speaking on a point of order in the National Assembly, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said PTI Chief Imran Khan have to pay the political price for his lies and changing narrative regarding foreign conspiracy behind his ouster from power.
Asif quoting Imran’s interview with Financial Times, said Imran took an other U-turn expressing the desire to mend relations with the United States despite accusing it of treating Pakistan as a ‘slave’.
Imran has buried his narrative of Haqiqi Azadi and imported government. He said Imran’s politics revolves around fake narratives and lies which compromised national interests.
Khawaja Asif said Imran Khan’s political rhetoric in the past and the recent one regarding cipher are based on local political consumption.
Imran’s accusations against the US had embarrassed the entire country. Now he was saying to forget that narrative which already damaged country’s relations abroad. Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) should sit home instead of disturbing routine life of the people through its long march.
Imran did not stand over his narrative more than a few weeks. He has compromised the honour and dignity of the country.
He wrongly termed the constitutional process of his ouster from power by tabling a confidence motion as foreign conspiracy. He urged the august House to ponder over it as Imran Khan must not go scot-free. He should have to pay the price of his persistent lies.