Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said on Friday that there is no need in holding talks with an incompetent administration.
He criticized the latest budget for burdening paid citizens and accused the administration of pressing judges who find in favor of PTI during an informal interaction with the media during the hearing of the £190 million reference at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.
Khan said that the Lahore High Court was briefed of pressure from intelligence services by a Sargodha judge. He said that judges who support PTI are under tremendous pressure and that the judge’s home gas supply was switched off. “Journalists endorsing the PTI are being singled out; Raoof Hassan sustained injuries, and Ali Zaman endured torture,” Khan said, linking intelligence services.
Khan asked Pakistan’s Chief Justice, Qazi Faez Isa, to protect the law in the face of these meddlings. Khan commended the integrity of three justices from the Supreme Court, six judges from the Islamabad High Court, and one judge from Sargodha.
In his budget speech, Khan emphasized that Pakistan must earn Rs13 trillion in income, of which Rs9.8 trillion is earmarked for debt interest payments.
He warned that the economy is already sinking and projected that Rs7.5 trillion in borrowing will be required to address the budget deficit. “Investment, which hinges on the rule of law, is the only salvation, yet this year saw the lowest investment in 50 years,” he said.
Khan criticized the increased tax load on paid persons and issued a dire warning about the future of the country. He refuted assertions that PTI shies away from talks, citing previous conversations that took place during Pervez Musharraf’s leadership, but he also made the point that talks are pointless when decisions are taken by “higher authorities.”
He brought up a situation in which PTI had bargained with PDM on the request of former Chief Justice Bandial, only to be informed that elections would not take place while Bandial held office.
Khan sent a strong message to his party demanding an end to internal divisions, stating that Pakistan’s future depended on it. “I will take strict action against anyone creating factions within the party,” warned him.
When a journalist inquired as to whether he desired the establishment to name a candidate for deliberrations.
