Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that yesterday’s Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) verdict disqualifying Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan in connection with the Toshakhana reference had left the former prime minister branded as a “certified crook”.
Shehbaz made the remarks while speaking to journalists in Islamabad. Imran’s qualification, Shehbaz said, constituted a moment for intr0spection for the nation.
He said his disqualification in the Toshakhana reference was indeed rich given how Imran routinely delivered sermons against corruption and had made a habit of attacking others without discrimination with such potshots.
Shehbaz also shed light on how the verdict was delivered by an ECP bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja who was appointed top boss in Imran’s stint in power. He said this was the same individual Imran had once lavished praise on.
The prime minister termed Friday an auspicious day for the nation given how Pakistan had exited the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List the same day. He said a nation united had made this possible.
Shehbaz said the now governing coalition, which used to sit on opposition benches then, strived to ensure legislation on the FATF was introduced despite being subjected to the worst kind of jibes. Imran, on the other hand, was resting. He said Imran delivered lectures on the virtues of democracy while his worldview was fascist.
