A coward person can never be a leader, going to give call soon: Imran Khan

RAWALPINDI/ CHARSADDA/MARDAN, Oct 13 (SABAH): Former prime minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has asked supporters to wait for his call to be made in the offing and stressed upon the nation to be united for this sake. He urged the youth to stand up against the ruling gang of thieves and their handlers for the sake of independence.

Imran Khan expressed these views while addressing the students at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agricultural University on Thursday in Rawalpindi. Terming fear as the greatest hindrance to gain independence, Imran Khan said a coward person can never be a leader hence becomes Nawaz Sharif instead who flees away to London on the slightest discomfort. He said going to prison was a trivial matter whereas they were ready even to sacrifice their lives.  “Unfortunately the jihad in our country is done sitting inside the homes, in our hearts,” he added.

Imran said Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was begging the entire world for money when they themselves loot the country’s wealth and sent it abroad for their personal use. “No one gets a high post in this country until a major crime has not been committed,” the PTI chairman said as he reiterated his call for the long march against the imported government that has a cabinet comprising of thieves out on bail. “Wait for my call,” he said. “I will lead the march,” he added.

The PTI chairman gave an example of Greek philosopher Aristotle who had stated that it is important to raise your voice against tyrants and continued The Holy Prophet (PBUH) also allowed jihad against injustice.

He highlighted that the nation has come to a point where looters of massive wealth were freed and cases against them were quashed. “Thieves who commit small robberies are sent behind bars while dacoits who have been looting the country are set free.” The PTI chairman went on to say that it is only because of him that the thieves disguised as politicians had become infamous throughout the country.

Imran deplored how a new first information report is registered against him every day and he has to visit courts on a daily basis. The students continued chanting slogans in support of the ousted premier during his address. “We will win and strive for independence,” the students shouted.

He said that a criminal has been made governor in Sindh. Referring to recently appointed Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, he alleged that in order to get to a higher post, one needed to be a criminal. Talking about acquittal of PM Shehbaz and his son Hamza Shehbaz in money laundering case, he said that under the weak judicial system, no one could make the big thieves accountable. The ex-PM reiterated how slaves always remain slaves and continue polishing boots. “As Maulana Rumi said, if God has given you wings then why you are crawling like ants,” the PTI chairman said. “Independence needs to be snatched and the chains need to be broken,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, addressing a workers’ convention in Charsadda, he said that terrorism had started rising since the incumbent government came into power and continued “Look at what is happening in Swat.” He alleged that instead of fulfilling its responsibility of controlling terrorists coming from the borders, the federal government was busy securing acquittals in cases against its members, indulging in corruption and creating political cases against opponents.

“What are the agencies doing? Telephone [calls], threats from unknown members and silencing the media to not show Imran Khan on TV. There is no law remaining in the country. There is terrorism again in Swat despite the sacrifices of its people. “They (government and the agencies) are responsible for this [rise in terrorism],” the former premier claimed. Imran called on the people to vote for the PTI in the upcoming by-poll and ensure its victory.

Addressing a rally later in Mardan, Imran again blamed the federal government for the deteriorating law and order situation, saying that it was the Centre’s responsibility to manage the borders and movement there. “Why did people of Swat come out [to protest]? Because they gave a big sacrifice so now, you are responsible for what is happening,” he added.

Imran addressed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and told him to convey to the federal government if it does not want to take responsibility for the borders and law and order situation, then “let us take it, we will stand against terrorism.” He also accused the federal government of stripping and torturing Senator Azam Swati following his arrest earlier Thursday. “I’m saying to all institutions that if you think that you can get respected by committing torture, don’t have that misunderstanding,” he elaborated.

Pointing to the recent acquittals of government-affiliated figures in cases against them, Imran said “whoever is giving NRO to these thieves is a traitor to this country.”