Double standards of justice’ in Imran Khan cases,PM

Cabinet asks PM Shehbaz to declare emergency,

Addressing the federal cabinet meeting which was held at PM House in Islamabad on Friday, Shehbaz Sharif said, Supreme Court had become an iron wall to protect Imran Niazi, blasting the “double standards of justice” being meted out to the PTI chief in his corruption cases, reported,

Most of the cabinet members on Friday advised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to declare emergency in the wake of prevailing situation in the country.

The cabinet met here with the premier in the chair to review the situation after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on May 9.

According to sources, the members expressed their concern over the violence following the arrest of PTI chief.

The members were of the view that the security situation in the country was getting out of control and the prime minister should take immediate steps.

The premier assured them of “positive steps” but after consulting coalition partners in the PDM with whom he would meet at 3 pm.

Shehbaz Sharif said “The country is passing through a very difficult time. The government is trying to deal with the difficult situation. The previous government broke the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Efforts are underway to fulfil the agreement with the IMF,” the prime minister said.

“The government faced difficulties due to floods and inflation. The whole country witnessed what happened in the Supreme Court yesterday. An accused was summoned to the Supreme Court with protocol,” he added.

“Imran Khan is being facilitated. Imran Niazi’s aim was to make the country go bankrupt. He first termed the elected government a conspiracy, and then he said there was no conspiracy,” he deplored.

“Imran Khan and his associates kept telling lies. He was made the prime minister through rigging. He left no stone unturned to spoil relations with the United States (US). The NAB-Niazi nexus stopped investment [in Pakistan],” he added.

The prime minister warned that no one would be allowed to take the law into own hands, adding that corruption of billions of rupees took place during the era of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Shehbaz Sharif while disapproving the “double standards of justice” being meted out to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan in his corruption cases said the coalition government would take every step to ensure the rule of law situation in the country.

The prime minister said other political leaders in the country faced trials and tough handling, while Imran Khan was given a “privileged treatment”. “These are the double standards of justice,” he said and expressed astonishment over the remarks of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court during yesterday’s hearing where he said that he was pleased to meet Imran Khan.

Shehbaz pointed out that thousands of cases by the general public were pending with the courts while some political figures were given special favour of bail on a priority basis.

He said the judiciary earlier also protected Imran Khan in his corruption cases including the Bus Rapid Transit Project (BRT), Billion Tree Tsunami tree plantation, and Malam Jabba development projects had solid proofs of corruption by PTI but the cases were not pursued. He said Imran Khan was part of an agenda to bring fascist rule in the country for 10 years.

Shehbaz said May 9, after the debacle of December 16, 1971, was a painful day in the country’s history when Imran Khan’s party unleashed havoc by attacking national and military installations. He recalled that despite the tragedy of the assassination of PPP leader Benazir Bhutto, his husband raised the slogan of ‘Pakistan Khappay’ meaning ‘We want Pakistan’ as a great gesture of nationalism. Also, nobody hit the military installations even after the “judicial murder” of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, he added.

Shehbaz recalled at the time of the death of their mother, he was in prison but passed the time with patience rather than inciting the public for riots.

He said Imran Khan was the mastermind and planner behind the attacks on military institutions. He termed it a disgrace to the martyred military personnel who sacrificed their lives for the motherland. He said the country was passing through a difficult time and the coalition government was making efforts to address the inherited challenges.

The prime minister lambasted the PTI leadership to push the country toward the brink of a dangerous situation. He recalled that the PTI chief for months made false and shameless claims about his ouster from the rule through “regime change” by the United States. He said the coalition government made tireless efforts to mend relations with the US in a diplomatic manner, while Imran Khan ultimately changed his stance against the US.

Shehbaz pointed out that besides maneuvering the situation with International Monetary Fund, Imran Khan made every effort for the country to be declared a default. He said Imran Khan incurred every possible damage to the very fabric of society by promoting hatred and intolerance.