Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said that those involved in the loot and plunder of the country’s resources will be sent behind bars, claiming rulers are making every effort to hide their crimes.
“Pakistan’s fate changed since the last sit-in was organised by his party,” he made the claim while addressing a large public rally in Bahawalpur, Punjab on Sunday.
Without naming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Imran said, “The man ruling this country smuggled money abroad and then concealed it behind several offshore accounts in the name of his children.”
He went on to say, “We need to decide if this small gang continues to rule this country and plunders and conceals money abroad.”
The PTI top leader told the people at the venue that a day will come when truth will be unveiled against those involved in the corruption, hinting at the ongoing hearing in the Supreme Court (SC) in connection with the Panamagate case.
He raised a question that how Maryam Nawaz acquired property worth billions of rupees abroad. “Nawaz Sharif is facing the wrath of God following the Panama Papers leaks,” he said.
“While metro buses are being introduced, people of South Punjab are still the ones deprived of such services,” Imran said, adding, “Punjab’s 57 per cent budget is being spent on development projects.”On January 3, the PTI chief said that PM Nawaz’s daughter Maryam is the beneficiary of luxury flats in a posh London neighbourhood.
Imran submitted fresh documentary evidence in the top court against the premier’s family over its alleged involvement in the Panamagate scandal.
On Friday, the top court said the onus of proof of the money trail of London flats lies on the shoulders of the Sharif family. During the hearing, the top court remarked that it would do everything possible to get to the truth.
A day earlier, the Supreme Court had hinted that members of Sharif family can be summoned if they contradict their stance regarding London flats. Justice Khosa is heading a five-judge bench of the apex court hearing afresh a slew of petitions seeking Premier Sharif’s disqualification in the backdrop of the Panama Papers revelations.
In November last year, the premier denied holding offshore companies in a written response to the Supreme Court on Panamagate petitions. In his reply, the PM said he had declared all his assets in 2013, hence was not liable for disqualification under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution. He vowed that once the PTI comes to power, no other cricket team in the world will be able to beat Pakistan.
"The Pakistani cricket team lost so badly," he told the crowd, referring to the Pakistan Test team's recent whitewash in a series against Australia.
"Our team doesn't lose because there is a lack of talent. There is no lack of talent in this country," he said.
"Over here, there is no system for cricket," he claimed. "We cannot polish our talent."
"When the PTI comes [to power], I will fix the problems in cricket and sports. No other team will be able to beat us," he promised.
The PTI chief, speaking about the ongoing Panamagate case probing the Sharif family's ownership of properties, claimed the PTI's argument in the case is based on the allegations that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif brought properties in his daughter Maryam Nawaz's name using stolen money.
"People like [Defence Minister] Khawaja Asif say Panama is not a problem for the Pakistani people," he said. "Is it a problem for India then?" he asked.
Chaos ensued at a Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) rally in the city, when fans and supporters ran amok, breaking the boundaries in an attempt to reach the stage.
Numerous people are rumoured to be injured, according to sources.
A huge crowd of devotees has gathered at location for the rally, while PTI chief Imran Khan is present at the stage.
Khan is set to address the rally soon.
