Imran’s statement is treason, invitation to army: politicians

LAHORE: Extending full support to democracy, senior politicians have flayed Imran Khan’s statement that people will welcome a military coup in Pakistan. They said it amounts to inviting the army and is treason.

Criticising the statement, the leaders of the PPP, PML-N and ANP categorically ruled out any replacement of the democratic system or any undemocratic move meant to derail democracy.

“Turkey is our brotherly country; we think together, we are friends of all weathers. No civilised nation can welcome any undemocratic means to topple an elected government,” said Yusuf Raza Gilani, the former prime minister and senior PPP leader.

Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid told The News Imran Khan’s statement clearly reflected a defeated mindset. “He has been defeated and rejected by the people. He knows it is impossible for him to come to power with the public support and this is the reason why he is issuing such statements,” added the minister.

Haji Mohammed Adeel, Senior Vice President of Awami National Party, said what Imran stated might be true keeping in view the politics of PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek or PML-Q. But the supporters of parties like ANP, PPP or PML-N, who had faced hardships in dictatorial regimes, could never think of welcoming any undemocratic move.

Irfanullah Marwat, a senior PML-N leader from Sindh, said Imran Khan had also played the same drama last year when he was waiting for the ‘umpire’s finger’, adding his intentions would face the same fate this time.

Former PTI leader Javed Hashmi also criticised Imran Khan’s statement. He said a ‘joker type’ politician talks of distribution of sweets with regard to a military coup. He also said that Imran expected someone would make him the prime minister of the country. “Imran Khan will have to become a mature politician,” said Hashmi.

ANP Senator Shahi Syed said that there was a difference between a player and a politician which had now become apparent to all, after Khan’s latest statement. He said that there was a need to promote democracy in the country.

Dr Amir Liaquat said that Khan’s statement was an attempt to incite the armed forces and that a case of Article 6 should be registered for the offence.

 APP adds: PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry said Imran was criticising the PML-N government in frustration and disappointment while addressing empty chairs in front of him. “Imran Khan has today acknowledged that he cannot compete with the PML-N leadership,” he said, talking to a private news channel.He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lived in the hearts of people as he believed in the politics of development, not levelling allegations.