Imran Khan questions institutions’ loyalty, renews call for early elections

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan Thursday questioned the institution's loyalty keeping in view the ongoing political chaos in the country that has led to a serious economic crisis in the country, 

Khan, while addressing his party members and supporters via video link, reiterated his reason to dissolve Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies, adding that the country is plunging into crisis and the only solution for each and every problem is snap polls.

At the outset of his address, Khan without naming anybody said one man’s decision toppled his government, deeming it “cruelty” as the people are still suffering badly because of it.

Khan said: "One man’s animosity with my party eight months ago was why the country had plunged into a crisis". He added that they want to “kill me in order to remove me from their way.”

“I want to remind the nation that the toppled government took the country towards economic progress,” the deposed prime minister recalled.

He added that the PTI’s toppled government gave the highest growth rate in Pakistan’s history where the economy was progressing. “The country’s wealth increased by 5.7% and 6% in the third and fourth years. The country had never progressed to this extent.”

Khan said that he had never seen the nation go into a dark time in his 70 years of life. “Our country is getting stuck in quicksand.”

Shedding light on the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government, Khan said that those who were criticising PTI are now supporting them because of the poor performance of the incumbent cabinet.

He further said that when institutions try to hold these “thieves” accountable they run away. 

Khan, who was removed from power through a vote of no-confidence in the National Assembly in April, said that he was addressing those Pakistanis who have not laundered their money abroad rather than those who have looted the country.

PTI was staging a “huge protest” outside the Governor House in Lahore. Ahead of Khan’s address, party supporters chanted slogans against the governor, and also brought a 100-meter-long PTI flag to show their support for party chairman.