Sharif responsible if ‘third-force’ steps in Pak: Imran

ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan on Sunday warned that Nawaz Sharif will be responsible if a “third-force” stepped in as a result of his party’s lockdown of the Pakistani capital next week demanding resignation of the Prime Minister on corruption charges after the publication of ‘Panama Papers’.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan. Reuters file

Islamabad, October 23

Imran Khan on Sunday warned that Nawaz Sharif will be responsible if a “third-force” stepped in as a result of his party’s lockdown of the Pakistani capital next week demanding resignation of the Prime Minister on corruption charges after the publication of ‘Panama Papers’.

“One person will be responsible if democracy is derailed,” Imran, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman said while referring to Sharif as he addressed the media outside his Bani Gala residence here.

The 64-year-old leader did not mention which force or institution would be derailing democracy following the protest planned on November 2 but clarified that, “We [PTI] are not doing this to bring in a ‘third force’.”

Although the cricketer-turned-politician did not name the “third force”, his statement seemed to refer to the powerful military establishment, a key player in Pakistani politics.

Imran accused the government of defaming Pakistan Army on the pretext of PTI’s protest. “In a democratic country prime minister is accountable to the people, however, Nawaz only wants to save his wealth,” he was quoted as saying by the media.

Panama Papers are not accusations but evidence of prime minister’s corruption, Imran claimed.

Taking a jibe at Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Imran said: “Those who call themselves opposition are defending Nawaz to save their own faces.”

Commenting on the hearing of Panamagate scandal in the Supreme Court on November 1, the party chairman said while the apex court may sentence the prime minister, the PTI was only demanding Nawaz’s resignation for a fair investigation.

“Protest is our democratic right and the government will have to face severe consequences if it tries to stop us,” he warned.

Sharif and some his family members are accused of illegally transferring money abroad after the Panama Papers leaks showed his family of possessing properties in the UK.

Sharif and his family have dismissed the allegations of money laundering and denied any wrongdoing. — PTI