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Former and Current Pakistani Prime Ministers Trade Accusations, Counter-Questions
Screengrab from Imran Khan / FB
In a heated exchange on social media, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan have traded accusations and counter-questions regarding recent assassination attempts and the role of the military and intelligence agencies.
Khan, who has survived two assassination attempts in recent months, questioned on May 8 whether he had the right to identify those responsible for the attacks and criticized the denial of his legal and constitutional right to register an FIR (First Information Report).
Khan also questioned whether Sharif's tweet means that military officers are above the law and cannot commit a crime.
Sharif on May 7 tweeted, "Imran Niazi's act of routinely maligning and threatening Pakistan Army and Intelligence Agency for the sake of petty political gains is highly condemnable. His leveling of allegations without any proof against Gen Faisal Naseer and officers of our Intelligence Agency cannot be allowed and will not be tolerated."
Khan went on to inquire about the circumstances surrounding the sabotage of the Wazirabad joint investigation eam (JIT) while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was in power in Punjab.
"Who was so powerful as to sabotage Wazirabad JIT while PTI govt was in power in Punjab?" Khan said.
In another tweet, he asked, "Can SS answer why the ISI took over ICT Judicial Complex evening before my appearance there on 18 March? Why were ISI personnel in CTD & lawyers camouflage? What was motive & what business did ISI have in the Complex? When SS can truthfully answer these Qs, all will point to one powerful man & his accomplices all being above the law. Then it is time for us to officially declare that in Pakistan there is only law of the jungle where Might is Right."
Shehbaz Sharif on May 9 responded to these questions with his own counter-questions, accusing Khan of resorting to lies and untruths and bending the judiciary to his whims.
He also accused Khan of constant mud-slinging of the leadership of the army and intelligence agency.
"One, maligning Pakistan Army as an institution is a recurring pattern in your politics after your ouster from power. Did you not resort to constant mud-slinging of the leadership of the army & intelligence agency much before the Wazirabad attack?" Sharif said.
Sharif also asked Khan about the social media campaign against the martyrs of the armed forces after a helicopter crash, the use of religion for political purposes, and the harassment and intimidation of an official delegation in the courtyard of the Prophet's Mosque.
Shehbaz Sharif concluded his response by advising Khan not to claim legitimacy to overturn the legal and political system.
"Let this be abundantly clear that you, as former prime minister, currently on trial for corruption, are claiming legitimacy to overturn the legal and political system. As for your assertion of Pakistan becoming a ‘jungle’, I advise you not to go there, for the facts are often bitter and disastrous. Let us keep this for another day," Sharif said.
Khan, who has survived two assassination attempts in recent months, questioned on May 8 whether he had the right to identify those responsible for the attacks and criticized the denial of his legal and constitutional right to register an FIR (First Information Report).
Khan also questioned whether Sharif's tweet means that military officers are above the law and cannot commit a crime.
Sharif on May 7 tweeted, "Imran Niazi's act of routinely maligning and threatening Pakistan Army and Intelligence Agency for the sake of petty political gains is highly condemnable. His leveling of allegations without any proof against Gen Faisal Naseer and officers of our Intelligence Agency cannot be allowed and will not be tolerated."
Khan went on to inquire about the circumstances surrounding the sabotage of the Wazirabad joint investigation eam (JIT) while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was in power in Punjab.
"Who was so powerful as to sabotage Wazirabad JIT while PTI govt was in power in Punjab?" Khan said.
In another tweet, he asked, "Can SS answer why the ISI took over ICT Judicial Complex evening before my appearance there on 18 March? Why were ISI personnel in CTD & lawyers camouflage? What was motive & what business did ISI have in the Complex? When SS can truthfully answer these Qs, all will point to one powerful man & his accomplices all being above the law. Then it is time for us to officially declare that in Pakistan there is only law of the jungle where Might is Right."
Shehbaz Sharif on May 9 responded to these questions with his own counter-questions, accusing Khan of resorting to lies and untruths and bending the judiciary to his whims.
He also accused Khan of constant mud-slinging of the leadership of the army and intelligence agency.
"One, maligning Pakistan Army as an institution is a recurring pattern in your politics after your ouster from power. Did you not resort to constant mud-slinging of the leadership of the army & intelligence agency much before the Wazirabad attack?" Sharif said.
Sharif also asked Khan about the social media campaign against the martyrs of the armed forces after a helicopter crash, the use of religion for political purposes, and the harassment and intimidation of an official delegation in the courtyard of the Prophet's Mosque.
Shehbaz Sharif concluded his response by advising Khan not to claim legitimacy to overturn the legal and political system.
"Let this be abundantly clear that you, as former prime minister, currently on trial for corruption, are claiming legitimacy to overturn the legal and political system. As for your assertion of Pakistan becoming a ‘jungle’, I advise you not to go there, for the facts are often bitter and disastrous. Let us keep this for another day," Sharif said.
May 10, 2023
