Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Sunday announced to drag Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to the court for dubbing him as a 'Jews' agent.' Speaking at a news conference along with his party leaders Dr Shireen Marzari, Asad Omer and others, the PTI chief lashed out at Maulana, challenging him to prove the baseless allegation he has been levelling against him in a court of law.
"I'm here to announce that we've decided to drag Maulana Fazlur Rehman to the court to prove that whether I'm a Jews' agent or he....it was the Maulana pleaded before Americans through secret rendezvous to bestow him with the lucrative slot of premiership," Imran declared.
The JUI-F chief recently tagged Imran as a 'Jews' agent' in a TV interview besides accusing him of working for a "Jewish lobby", as the war of words between the duo had already started during election campaigns when Maulana declared voting for Imran's PTI as "Haram" [forbidden by Islamic law].
Imran, however, rejecting the allegations reminded Maulana not to forget the Wikileaks revelations, which badly exposed his double standards, claimed Maulana Fazl had been lobbying through Americans for becoming prime minister. He called upon the political heavyweight from Dera Ismail Khan to tell the nation as who held secret meetings with the then US Ambassador to Pakistan Ann W Peterson to fulfil his long-lasting dream to become the prime minister once in lifetime.
The PTI chief also criticised Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for sky-rocketing price hike and increase in electricity tariff, urging the government to take steps to reduce inflation as poor masses are already bearing the brunt of poverty.
Terming the rise in inflation as disastrous and economic suicide for salaried class, he said that only in July inflation reached at 24 percent, adding the unbridled inflation has put immense burden on poor segments of the society and government must not act as silent spectator.
He said the government has almost completed 90 days in power but no real progress is seen despite tall claims of turning things around. Imran said Pakistani currency is losing its value against dollar which is resulting in more inflation vis-à-vis increasing the volume of foreign loans.
He said that the decrease in value of Pakistani rupee would discourage investors to bring investment in the country while it would also pave the way for the countrymen to shift their money in foreign banks. Imran also called to initiate an inquiry against those who have stashed their money in foreign banks.
Referring to the increase in power tariff, he said that electricity tariff has been increased from 35 to 75 percent and the recent step taken by the government will certainly made the life of common man miserable. He continued that in some cases, the electricity tariff has been increased up to 100 percent, stabbing poor masses badly while the government seems virtually helpless before the powerful power thieves.
"It would have a disastrous impact on the lives of people, the way the government is increasing the power tariff", he said, adding the government instead of controlling the leakages and power theft, is busy in shifting all burden on the common man.
He announced that the PTI would raise voice against the power tariff increase in and outside the parliament. Referring to power theft by influential segment of society‚ the PTI chief said stern action needs to be taken against the culprits and also questioned the government as to why no action has so far been taken against those involved in power theft.
He also reminded PML-N of its promises made with the nation before coming into power, saying the party had announced it would launch a crackdown against 0.4 million illegal power connections. "The government's reluctance to crackdown against the power thieves means they [rulers] are also involved in the heinous crime in one way or the other," he maintained.
Besides, he pointed out that no steps were taken to broaden the tax net and asked the government for increasing the tax base so that only salaried class would not be affected with taxes. The PTI chief said that the government should take necessary measures to eradicate corruption, nepotism and favouritism.
Imran reiterated his earlier stance that May 11 general elections were badly rigged and the PTI will issue a "white paper" on August 16, exposing all those involved in facilitating to rig the polls.
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