Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Friday cast a spotlight on rumours circulating about the incoming Supreme Court Chief Justice Saqib Nisar and newly appointed army chief, saying there is an impression that they are “sympathisers” of the ruling government.

“Khursheed Shah said the impression is that the new CJ’s sympathy is with the PML-N,” Khan told journalists in Lahore referring to the senior PPP lawmaker’s speech in parliament.

“There is also an impression that the changes within the armed forces are for PML-N,” Khan added. “I don’t know if there is truth in this. All I know is that when Maryam Nawaz tweets, ‘saying a storm has passed’… what does it mean? They [PML-N] themselves are giving weight to the perception that the change will suit them.”

“How has the storm passed? A new CJ and new COAS have been appointed. What message are you giving people? This is a wrong impression,” Khan said.

Although such remarks aimed at the head of the military and apex court are rare, opposition parties have hit out at the PML-N and raised questions about the new appointments.

Earlier this month, Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Shaikh Rasheed in an interview to a private TV news channel said that the new Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa was appointed “not on merit but for his loyalty to the ruling party”.

Hitting back at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Khan said he would attend the parliamentary session when Nawaz Sharif would show up to answer the allegations.

“If the Leader of the House is lying in the National Assembly, then he himself is undermining it,” he said. He called on PM Nawaz to answer allegations just like former British premier David Cameron did.

“Changing your stance or lying is a U-turn,” said the PTI chief. “We want to hold the prime minister accountable and that is what we are trying to do,” he said.

He praised Pakistan Army for carrying out an effective operation against militants and said that it was due to the armed forces that terrorism had reduced in the country.