By Special Correspondent
Islamabad: Pakistan’s prime minister, Imran Khan, lashed out on Saturday at three-time former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, describing him as a “jackal” who is seeking to establish “rebellion” in the army by accusing him of involvement in the country’s politics and calling for a shift in both the military and the ISI leadership.
Sharif, the 70-year-old Supreme Leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) who was removed from power in 2017 by the apex court on charges of corruption, was elected Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI Chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed for the first time in the 2018 general election to secure Khan ‘s victory.
Sharif made comments virtually on 16 October during a joint rally organised by opposition parties under the banner of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), formed to overthrow the government of Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).
Prime Minister Khan said that Sharif was sitting “like a Jackal” in London, targeting the army.
Hitting out of Sharif, Khan said the former prime minister was “trying to stir up a revolt in the Pakistan Army by claiming that he was interested in politics and calling for a change of army and ISI leaders,” Khan said while addressing a public meeting in Mingora in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
The strong army, which has controlled Pakistan for more than half of its 70 plus years of existence, has exercised tremendous influence in the field of security and foreign policy.
However, the Army has denied interfering in the country’s politics. Prime Minister Khan also denies that the Army helped him win the 2018 election.
Khan said that Sharif had run away from the country under the pretext of sickness, adding that he was a “money worshipper” and that he had accumulated his riches by plundering the land, the Dawn newspaper reported.
The President of the PML-N, currently under bail, faces several corruption charges. In November last year, the Islamabad High Court allowed him to go to London for medical treatment for a period of eight weeks. But he did not come back, though his lawyers told the court he was still healing.
Khan also blasted Sharif ‘s daughter, Maryam Nawaz, for publicly accusing the army of political interference.
She’s taking advantage of being a woman because women are valued in Pakistan, he said.
“Nawaz Sharif and his sons can not dare attack the Pakistan Army in the region, which is why they have fled abroad. Since Maryam Nawaz knows that we’re not going to send her to bars because she’s a woman, she’s started spewing venom against the army, “he said.
Khan said Pakistanis would never allow crooked politicians to launch charges against the army.
Rebuking the “corrupt political leaders gathered under the Pakistan Democratic Movement,” Khan said a group of thieves and looters gathered to ask for special concessions after the looting of the country.
“Two major political parties have looted the country over the last 30 years, but now it’s time to take action against the corrupt and the looters,” he said.