Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan continued his verbal onslaught against the ruling party when on Monday he termed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif "the biggest security threat" in the country. He also said that the premier was isolating the army.

The PTI chief said that the Pakistan Army has played an important role, ranging from Zarb-i-Azb to Balochistan and Karachi, and taking action against the notorious Chotu gang from Punjab.

"We might also need the army for the 'Motu gang',” he said, in a veiled reference to the prime minister.

Khan had said on Sunday that only Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would be held responsible if a 'third power' steps in as a result of the PTI's November 2 lockdown of Islamabad. He, however, made it clear that, "We [PTI] are not doing this to bring in a 'third power'."

Khan today also alleged that the premier has been seeking support from the Indo-Israeli lobby to safeguard himself and his 'corruption'.

He claimed that there was a connection between Nawaz Sharif and cross-border firing, saying, "Whenever there is pressure on Nawaz Sharif, the Line of Control (LoC) becomes heated."

The PTI chairman's remarks come days before the party's planned siege of Islamabad on Nov 2, where his party has threatened to "lock down" the capital. The PTI has vowed not to let the government function if the prime minister does not give himself up for accountability for the revelations made about his family's off-shore wealth in the Panama Papers.

'Match for Pakistan's future'

In a return to cricket metaphors during a public gathering in Malakand, Kaptaan said he was going to play "a match for Pakistan's future" against a "team of thieves" led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who he termed "the captain of thieves".

"They are threatening us, they will try to use force against us," he alleged, referring to the government. "What happens, you will be responsible for it," the PTI chief said, addressing the Sharif brothers.

"Punjab police, I want to give you a message. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police ─ they will never use force against any citizen who is exercising their right to protest peacefully," he said.

"We will keep pathways clear for hospitals, give people time and space to buy necessities, and diplomats will not need to worry about anything," he said, "But Nawaz Sharif will not be able to rule."

Imran's personal attacks

The PTI chief made personal remarks about politicians who he listed as a part of Nawaz Sharif's 'team'.

"Do you think Maulana Fazlur Rehman will fit into cricket pants?" he asked a cheering crowd. "How can he be on the team? We'll keep him as a 12th member."

"Achakzai won't be able to wear the pants either," he added as an afterthought.

"Who will be Nawaz Sharif's vice captain? Asfandyar 'easyload'?" he suggested.

"Third [on the team], we have Asif Ali Zardari, iss mulk ki bari bemari (a great illness in this country)," he said.

"And how can you forget Punjab's showbaaz Sharif," he said, referring to the chief minister of Punjab.

This is not the first time the PTI chief has resorted to making personal remarks about other politicians. PM Nawaz often criticises Imran Khan for his 'abusive' language.

Imran should silence his guns: Pervaiz Rashid

Earlier today, in response to Khan's allegations about LoC flare-ups, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said, "Whenever Imran Khan formulates a plan to lay siege on Islamabad, shelling starts from the other side... if he has any soft corner for Pakistan, Imran Khan should silence his guns when the enemy is shelling."

Referring to allegations of corruption against the prime minister and his family by the PPP and PTI, Rashid said evidence should be presented before a court or investigative agencies.

"Aitzaz Ahsan and Imran Khan both are among those who continue to point fingers at others. If either of them has proof or documentary evidence, they should take it to court or investigative agencies before hurling accusations at others," he said.

"If Imran Khan has faith in the Supreme Court then he should wait for the court's decision, just as we are waiting for it. If the court decides in our favour and terms Imran's accusations wrong, then we won't ask him to beg our pardon."

"But if it the decision is not in our favour, we will not waste a moment accepting it. But the court's decision should be followed. These decisions cannot be made on the streets," he said.

Referring to statements made by both party members regarding 'leaks' made from a high-level meeting, the information minister said, "A chief minister from Aitzaz Ahsan's party was in the meeting, as well as a chief minister from Imran Khan's party. Why are they only pointing towards others?" he asked.

PTI, PML-N lock horns

With the war of words between PML-N and PTI at an all-time high, PM Nawaz had hit out at Imran Khan last week when he said PTI leaders can only be found on shipping containers. His criticism was aimed at Khan's 2014 sit-in, when he demanded the premier's resignation by making impassioned speeches from atop shipping container in the capital.

"Forget about Pakistan, the PTI will have washed their hands of KP by 2018," he had said, adding that the province would be ruled by the PML-N after the next general election.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also thundered at the PTI, terming the party "enemies of progress".

He vowed "their PTI's filthy designs will be unsuccessful".

The apex court is to hear petitions on Panamagate on Nov 1. The hearing had earlier been adjourned for two weeks, but the Supreme Court changed the date on Friday, set off a debate on the significance of the hearing a day ahead of the planned siege of the city.

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