EXCLUSIVE: Shahbaz Sharif's friend offered me Rs10bn, says Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Wednesday said that it was one of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif’s friends who offered him Rs 10 billion to stay silent over Panama leaks issue, ARY News reported.

Speaking exclusively to ARY News, the PTI chief claimed that the man offered him Rs 10 billion as a “starting” amount to shun his criticism and calls for accountability against the Sharif family over the Panama leaks issue.

“He is quite close to his brother (Shahbaz Sharif) and did not only offer Rs 10 billion, 10 billion was just the starting point, the middle man too was promised money,” Imran Khan said about the man who allegedly approached him over Sharif family’s instruction.

The PTI chief added that the man met him about two weeks ago and informed him that he was given the task.

“I am not maintaining that Nawaz Sharif directly offered me the money but the offer came from him,” said Imran Khan.

“Shahbaz Sharif’s close aide offered me 10 billion. No,Hamza’s friend made an offer to my friend in Dubai.” I fear for this man’s Hereafter!

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 26, 2017

Addressing a gathering in Peshawar’s Shaukat Khanum Hospital on Tuesday, Imran Khan claimed that he was offered Rs10 billion to stay silent over the Panamagate issue.

“Just imagine how much money he offered me to be silent. Rs10 billion… If he can offer me this much money, just imagine how much he would offer to others,” Imran Khan had said.

Imran Khan’s statement stirred up a hornet’s nest as PML-N leaders including Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb and Rana Sanaullah had dared Imran Khan to name who offered him the money.

Aurangzeb on Wednesday not only termed Imran Khan’s recent claim “false” but also dared the cricketer-turned-politician to name the person who offered him the money.