'I have battled mafias, not politicians,' says Imran Khan

MANDI BAHAUDDIN: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan on Sunday came down hard on his main political adversaries, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, saying that he has battled mafias rather than politicians in his political career.

“Since last 21 years, I have battled mafias, not politicians,” he said addressing a public gathering in Mandi Bahauddin, stating that there is a difference between democracy and looting under the pretext of democracy. “The politicians serve the people as a form of worship.”

He said that since last three decades, two ‘mafias’ have looted the nation in the name of democracy and have indebted the nation. “These mafias have indebted the nation. They have become the richest in the world by laundering billions abroad.”

Critising former president Zardari, Imran demanded the Joint Investigation Team’s report against Lyari gangster Uzair Baloch should be made public as he made startling revelations. “Uzair Baloch said he killed Mohtarma’s (Benazir Bhutto) guard Shehshah. Do politicians get people killed,” he asked adding that Baloch also confessed to occupying sugar mills in Sindh.

On the other hand, he said that the Sharif ‘mafia’ is in control of Lahore since the last thirty years. “This is not what happens in a democracy. These mafias first attempt to buy out people and then beat them.”

 

He reminded that nation had debt of Rs35000 per person when Zardari become preisdent in 2008, but the nine years of partnership had sharply increased the debt to Rs120,000, which increases poverty and purchasing power in the country.

“Nawaz’s children business, Eids, treatment, shopping is done in London. Zardari hardly comes to Pakistan, while Bilawal hardly speaks Urdu.”

Imran claimed that there is corruption worth Rs4000 billion per year, while ten billions dollars are laundered out of the country, and asked how exorbitant loans will be repaid as Pakistan will have to accept the harsh conditions imposed.

He promised to reduce expenses and raise more revenue by fixing the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) and bring honest individuals who will not spare the elite class. “All taxes are paid by the masses, not the elite,” he said asking how much tax Zardari pays.

Secondly, he promised to fix the NAB which will stop corruption and money laundering. “Only Imran Khan will be able to catch the big crocodiles,” he claimed.

“Those who are supposed to catch themselves have laundered billions abroad,” he said that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has a house in the UAE while Nawaz Sharif has over Rs300 billion abroad, and Zardari has palaces in UK and France.

He also cricitisied Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif saying that a hospital is being built in Mandi Bahauddin since last nine years. “I have never seen a bigger showoff then Shahbaz Sharif,” he said adding that the promises of ending load shedding within six months were futile.

He said that it was the responsibility of the state to provide for the youth, and they will provide excellent education and health to them, and will form a policy for the marginalised and downtrodden people.

“If he escapes from jail, then we should sent him to Bollywood,” he quipped. He said that seven billion have been spend on the security of Sharif’s house in Raiwind where 2500 policemen are deployed, while Shaukat Khanam Hospital was built within four billion rupees.