Some people join politics to make money: Imran

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said some people join politics only to make money.

Speaking at a book-launching ceremony here on Friday, he said the assets of politicians before coming to power and after attaining it related quite a different story. "Just compare their [politicians'] assets before and after coming to power," he added.

Predicting multiple challenges for the upcoming government, Imran said the need of the hour was to make Pakistan a true Islamic welfare state. He said the PML-N government had multiplied the burden of foreign debts on Pakistan. He said the country's total debt had risen to Rs2700 billion in the past 10 years.

In an apparent jibe at PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, Imran said some individuals were trying to pose as Nelson Mandela to save their Rs300 billion.

He said the assemblies seemed full of members of corrupt mafias. The situation could only change if the neglected and downtrodden segments of society are brought into the mainstream on the principle of equality and justice.

He said it was unfortunate that elements involved in plundering of national wealth had become rulers in Pakistan.

Criticising the Sharif brothers, he said one of them was busy in issuing statements against judiciary while the other was busy in targeting the institution of Army.

Citing example of Quaid-e-Azam as a statesman, Imran said the founder of Pakistan also wanted to build a state for the Muslims of Subcontinent like Madina.

He said the Quaid-e-Azam was a great lawyer, but he devoted his life for a cause in the beginning, the party he was leading was also considered as a ‘Tonga Party’ (small party), but he continued his struggle till the dream of Pakistan was materialised.

Like him, Imran said he was also striving for a cause to bring about a change in a country where politicians come to power not to serve people but to strengthen themselves.

He added that tax-evaders in Pakistan had become rulers whereas a poor man was seen roaming in courts to get justice.

The reason why Pakistan was lagging behind in the comity of nations was the violation of merit and injustice, adding that a society without justice could never prosper.

Imran also criticised the rulers and said there was a time when the US president used to come to airport to receive President Ayub of Pakistan, but now a sitting prime minister was frisked by the authorities at an American airport.

Imran Khan, citing the example of Europe, said the concept of welfare state could be seen there where even a dog wasn’t seen dying of starvation.

Besides, the PTI chairman also criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said under him, the Muslims of India had no worth in their country.

The ceremony was also addressed by Awami Muslim League head Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, President PTI Central Punjab Abdul Aleem Khan, intellectuals, columnists and others.