Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Wednesday skipped question whether former army chief Mirza Aslam Baig and fellow military generals should be brought to book after admitting the charges levelled in Asghar Khan case. Speaking at a press conference flanked by Air Marshal Asghar Khan (Retd), the PTI chief came down hard on Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari as usual but remained tight-lipped when he was asked to comment on the "khakis" involved in the case.
Imran demanded of the Election commission of Pakistan (ECP) to disqualify Nawaz and other politicians, involved in pocketing money from Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) to manipulate 1990s elections. He said a thorough probe into the allegations against the politicians could only be possible if Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) starts investigation under the supervision of Supreme Court.
The PTI chief assured that if the allegations of pocketing money from ISI by Javed Hashmi were proved, he would not take part in the upcoming general elections. "I thank Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary for the landmark verdict in Asghar Khan case, which exposed the corrupts after 16 years," he added. Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari are busy in wheeling and dealing, he said, adding that elections after National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) destroyed the country. He said the apex court verdict in historic Asghar Khan case will help strengthen democracy.
Nawaz Sharif should better clear himself first before accusing PTI of being backed by ISI, he added. Asghar Khan case is enough to prove who benefited the most from the spy agency. The name of PML-N is at the top of the list and Sharif brothers should be very careful before uttering any word against PTI, he added.
He expressed fear that PML-N and PPP may strike a deal instead of holding a probe into the matter to hide each others' wrongdoings. "I'm sure the delay in probe shows that some wheeling and dealing between the parties is going on which will not be tolerated," he cautioned.
"I'm afraid that Nawaz Sharif will stop saying anything against the Swiss money of Asif Zardari and in return the PPP will sweep the things against him under the carpet without any trial in the case," he added. He said that when Benazir Bhutto ordered a probe against Younis Habib in 1995, Justice Munir, who was investigating the case, was murdered, while after coming into power in 1997, Nawaz Sharif ordered closure of investigation against Younis Habib.
He said that corruption and tax evasion are the two major problems confronting Pakistan, for which both PML-N and PPP are equally responsible hence both the parties could not be trusted further to steer the country out of present crisis. About consultations with PTI regarding the caretaker setup, Imran said that PML-N did not contact the PTI. "They did not contact us formally and instead sent a message through someone, which is not acceptable as it is a very serious matter," he added.
Asghar Khan said that he never obeyed any illegal order during his whole military career. "I never followed any illegal order, as a man in uniform is bound to accept legal orders only...I refused to open fire on women and children when I was serving in air force," he maintained.
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