Sharif responsible if third-force steps in: Imran

“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. The PTI on Saturday won ‘unconditional support’ of the PML-Q for its November 2 sit-in in the federal capital. Together the two parties decided to approach the Pakistan Awami Tehreek of Dr Tahirul Qadri, which, ‘is likely to join the protest’, Express Tribune reported. The PTI has also prepared a strategy to tackle the sit-in and any possible crackdown against the party, Dawn newspaper reported.