Imran criticises PM Nawaz Sharif for 'ineffective' tour of Saudi Arabia
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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Monday criticised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for what he termed an ineffective tour of Saudi Arabia.
The prime minister had attended the first-ever Arab-Islamic-American Summit in Riyadh on Sunday, where he interacted with Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, US President Donald Trump and other leaders from Arab and Islamic countries.
The PTI chief, speaking to the media, accused the prime minister of failing to take a stand for Pakistan and other Muslim communities, including Iran, Kashmir and Palestine, during his interactions in Riyadh.
Khan pointed out that in his speech, US President Trump had failed to mention the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the war against terror, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had failed to correct him.
"The most important thing is that he [Trump] did not even mention Pakistan ... the country that fought America's war and lost 70,000 people," Khan said.
"The country became a front-line state and sacrificed lives in the war but ... instead [Trump] praised [India]," Khan added.
During his speech, Trump had named India among the countries that are a "victim of terrorism".
Khan also criticised the US president for not speaking about the atrocities committed by India against the people of India-held Kashmir.
"He [Trump] praised India for making sacrifices and did not speak about the atrocities being committed against the Kashmiris ... he did not speak about Palestinians," he added.
The PTI chief said that when Trump lashed out against Iran and called for the country to be isolated, Prime Minister Sharif should have taken a stance and said that such a move would be against the interests of the Muslim world.
During his speech, Trump had accused Iran of fuelling “the fires of sectarian conflict and terror” and called for its international isolation.
"He [the prime minister] should have spoken about the parliamentary resolution which was unanimously accepted by all parties and which said that Pakistan would work to bring the Muslim community together," Khan said.
He added that since Nawaz was representing Pakistan at the summit, it was his duty to emphasise that Pakistan does not want Iran to be isolated.
"We had an opportunity, but he kept silent," the PTI chief said. "We do not want the Muslim world to be divided," he added.
Khan added that considering the destruction Pakistan has suffered due to its involvement in "the wars of others," it should have been highlighted by the prime minister that the country "will not be a partisan to these matters."
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Comments (101) Closed
May 22, 2017 04:55pm
I agreed with Khan
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May 22, 2017 04:56pm
Better to stay focused on Pakistan than to be worried about Iran who is all happy to host anti Pakistan elements and make anti Pakistan statements
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May 22, 2017 04:56pm
Imran is the only fearless leader who stands up for Pakistan's interest every time.
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May 22, 2017 04:56pm
We need leaders like you!
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May 22, 2017 05:00pm
IK is spot on.
PM visit was total waste of money. Yeah, sure when nation want you resign no one will value you in connected world.
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May 22, 2017 05:01pm
Ineffective is an understatement. Look at how today every single Israeli minister was telling Trum what they want. Pakistan was 'humiliated' how can Saudi's and the US not bring themselves mention losses (e.g. APS attack) suffered by Pakistan. They can't stop mentioning the people lost on US but have no regard for our losses!
Shame on our so-called leaders.
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May 22, 2017 05:04pm
What was NS doing in a Arab summit? When did Pakistan officially became a Arab nation? Am I missing something here? Could someone please enlighten me on this if possible?
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May 22, 2017 05:05pm
nawaj did what he had to do. A country laden with debt and dependency on Saudi Arabia and USA, it will be suicide to open your mouth . Respect the reality.
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May 22, 2017 05:06pm
Do you know anything else other then criticizing. Nation wont vote for you for your critics ability.
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May 22, 2017 05:10pm
I am a fan of IK, but sometimes he does seem a bit lacking in maturity; if a Pakistani head of state had gone to Saudi Arabia and behaved as IK says he should, we would have ruptured 2 of our 3 main alliances: those with the Gulf Arabs and the USA (our third key alliance being China). And to what purpose? Does IK really think grandstanding by Pakistan will achieve anything practical? And that too for a country like Iran, which, frankly, has behaved in an adversarial manner with Pakistan for some time? Does he really think publicly admonishing the USA for not mentioning sacrifices by Pakistan will make the USA immediately correct its position?
The concerns that IK raises are valid ones (with maybe the exception of Iran, which we should surely now realise is not our friend). But someone who aspires to be our next leader must realise that statesmanship requires being able to discern which concerns should be reserved for behind-the-scenes interactions, and which for public announcement.
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May 22, 2017 05:12pm
Khan Saab, please stay away from the messy rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Such statements will loose you votes from the conservative
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May 22, 2017 05:12pm
When you have corrupt, vision less Pm, what do you expect. The govt is all about furthering their cause, influence, bank balance and hang on to power at all cost. Pakistan needs to stand up on its feet and this can only happen when corruption is rooted out, educated visionary parliamentarians are appointed and feudal lord culture is removed.
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May 22, 2017 05:13pm
PMLN only make representations if it effects their bank balance, businesses or properties. Nothing else matters.
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May 22, 2017 05:15pm
@SYED H btw what these so called alliances given us so far?? boundaries r only in the mind no where else...try to overcome those
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May 22, 2017 05:20pm
I agree with IK that Prime Ministers visit was ineffective as he could not highlight the sacrifices made by Pakistanis in war against terrorism. But I do not agree with IK on point that NS should have fought the war of Iran or Saudi Arabia. We should be more concerned about our issues.
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May 22, 2017 05:28pm
@faisal as an opposition party, it is PTI's duty to point out government failures. "Friendly opposition" is not in PTI's dictionary.
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May 22, 2017 05:36pm
@Shahzad "@SYED H btw what these so called alliances given us so far?? boundaries r only in the mind no where else...try to overcome those"
You really do not seem to have any idea of our international situation.
Our alliances with China, the Gulf Arabs, and the USA have not only prevented our isolation, the key aim of India, but are critical to the everyday lives of Pakistanis. The biggest single source of foreign exchange is the remittances sent to Pakistan from the millions of Pakistani workers in the Gulf Arab states. I surely do not need to tell you about that thing called CPEC, but even before it, our defence needs and the need to cast votes on our behalf in the UN Security Council was something we could really only rely for on China. As for the US, not trying to upset it unduly would be sensible; the Greater Middle East region is littered with the corpses of nations that did not realise this.
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May 22, 2017 05:40pm
IK is The last ray of hope for Pakistan.
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May 22, 2017 05:41pm
Wonder where his sorrow for 70,000 lost lives went when he was supporting talks with TTP, supported talks with these animals again AFTER the APS massacre and remains an ally to a party known for its extreme views??
Oh and PML-N and PTI were the only two parties "forgiven" by TTP during the 2013 elections.
One is corrupt and the other is an extremist supporter.
A sorry state we live in.
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May 22, 2017 05:50pm
Yet another accusation. Grow up and start leading towards prosperity.
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May 22, 2017 05:52pm
That's why IK could be a better choice than others.
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May 22, 2017 05:59pm
Totally agree with his view..
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May 22, 2017 06:02pm
After a long time Khan too a right stance.
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May 22, 2017 06:07pm
We support our fearless leader(Imran Khan) to raise the voice of Muslim nation.because what is going on its way to destroy Muslim nation and divided them .
USA policy is not in the favor of Pakistan or any other Muslim countries .
They destroy Libya, Iraq and whats going on in Yemen and later sure Iran.
We never forget next will be Pakistan too.
Our present Government's poor foreign policy let down us every platform.
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May 22, 2017 06:14pm
@The end is near "IK is The last ray of hope for Pakistan." Not very brilliant, to be a ray of hope.
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May 22, 2017 06:14pm
110% agreed with Imran. Problem with our PM is that he has no control over English, but he could have conducted his speech in Urdu and can be interpreted. What a miss opportunity where Muslim world leaders and a newly elected US president were sitting and our PM could not delivered. Was it a photo opportunity for him as in past?
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May 22, 2017 06:15pm
Imran criticizes, Okay but what's the alternative? Not go? Doesn't make any sense.
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May 22, 2017 06:18pm
I never ever like imran but today for the first time he seem looks and talk like a leader
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May 22, 2017 06:18pm
will he adhere to or will be allowed to remain adhered to his own words if , ever, he becomes PM of Pakistan.
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May 22, 2017 06:20pm
@Nomi Goraya It would have been better for you to be satisfied with first 6 words in your message. Logically think as to why?
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May 22, 2017 06:28pm
" Muslim communities, including Iran, Kashmir and Palestine, during his interactions in Riyadh."
AND ....what about those in Myanmar, non Bengali Muslims in Bangladesh , China and rest of India ( other than IHK ) ? We can take these issues even now.
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May 22, 2017 06:29pm
Imran khan and modi should be leaders till 2024 .all will be well henceforth !
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May 22, 2017 06:48pm
Imran has nailed it.
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May 22, 2017 06:55pm
@HYDERABADI - all 50+ heads of state were invited by KSA
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May 22, 2017 07:15pm
Sane voice in the wilderness.
NS is always too eager to spend millions of tax-payer's money to fly to different parts of the world, without any agenda, substance and thereby garners no results or benefits for the nation, except to boast his own ego to hob nob with the rich and famous, photo-op and side shows. Nothing every comes out of NS visit taken with too much fanfare, on a PIA 777 carrying handful of his functionaries to return only empty handed and a huge bill for the trip.
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May 22, 2017 07:29pm
But first IK smeared PM by filing a case at SC, and now he's not satisfied with premier visit. OK Mr IK you may deseat PM but the leadership will remain with PML( N) ,you have to face another PM from PML(N).
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May 22, 2017 07:30pm
Iran had issued warning of SURGRICAL STRIKE on Pakistan Some Time back.. Are you suffering from Short time Memory Loss ?? Please Correct your Memory Mr. Khan..
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May 22, 2017 07:32pm
@HYDERABADI You asked "What was NS doing in a Arab summit?" But you did not ask what Trump and other "non-Arab" leaders were doing there? The reason they were there was because it was not an "Arab" summit.
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May 22, 2017 07:32pm
@Zakir please discuss and concentrate on own internal issues. Leave these world politics for bigger and powerful leaders.
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May 22, 2017 07:34pm
@Ob We have less respect for human life and credibility than many other countries. Maybe because we have a large under & unemployed poor population that even our elites are not too bothered about not to mention our dwindling minorities.
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May 22, 2017 07:34pm
@HYDERABADI .In fact there were more non- Arab nations than Arab in the Summit. There was Afghanistan,Bangladesh,Indonesea,Malaysia,Brunei Darusalam,Turkey,Pakistan,and many African nations.
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May 22, 2017 07:40pm
Geo Imran Khan. My respect for you as a leader has increased ten fold.
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May 22, 2017 07:41pm
No need for PM to discuss anything but Pakistan. Imran Khan really needs to tone down his criticism.
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May 22, 2017 07:44pm
I never agreed fully with Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto but never denied his status as an international personality. He understood western powers, he used to stand up to them. He would have faced Trump one on one. Unfortunately, we are being led by a businessman who only knows how to balance the business ledgers. That is why we are being kicked around while India is being praised, projected as a victim of terrorism. No one is mentioning the terror inflicted on Kashmiris and Palestinians. ZAB would have done it.
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May 22, 2017 07:50pm
I agree with IK..
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May 22, 2017 07:57pm
@The end is near
That's. It true. It's China is the last ray of hope for Pakistan.
No Pakistan politician will do it.
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May 22, 2017 08:00pm
@SYED H kudos. well said!!
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May 22, 2017 08:03pm
If Iran wants Pakistan's favors then Iran will have to openly side with Pakistan distance itself from India
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May 22, 2017 08:11pm
I see Imran now turning into a politician and milking any thing and every thing for political gains.
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May 22, 2017 08:12pm
@HYDERABADI "What was NS doing in a Arab summit? When did Pakistan officially became a Arab nation? Am I missing something here? Could someone please enlighten me on this if possible?"
This was a muslim leaders' summit, not an Arab summit. For the Arabs, there is Arab league to which Pakistan is not a member and has nothing to do with it.
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May 22, 2017 08:14pm
@Mbwa Yes the reality is we are beggars, our begging bowl rather than being broken has been enlarged..
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May 22, 2017 08:18pm
I would love to know what IK and the PTI have ever done except agitate, protest, sit-ins, violence, defame people, criticise everyone, accept all crooks in their club (not popular enough with electorate of Pakistan and not democratic enough to be a political party), lie about their opponents and not have any actual policies of their own!!!
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May 22, 2017 08:18pm
Imran is the only fearless leader whose lips never stop moving. He also has the great vision and slogan of 'I am pure and your are corrupt' which will really help solve Pakistan's many problems.
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May 22, 2017 08:18pm
simply criticism for the sake criticism nothing else good IK.
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May 22, 2017 08:19pm
All this will go against Imran Khan, it is easy to say then done, just wait and see...politics is all together another game.
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May 22, 2017 08:19pm
@SYED H absolutely agree couldn't have said it any better myself!!!
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May 22, 2017 08:19pm
He'll not be a better PM than NS.
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May 22, 2017 08:22pm
Very True.
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May 22, 2017 08:22pm
@Sahmad if PTI was an opposition party it would have an agenda of its own other than agitation. One on health, education, infrastructure and economics!! Instead all they can do is talk and criticise - do nothing in KP but get paid to not turn up to Parliament and represent the people that voted for them! Bunch of losers with absolutely no plan or clue how to govern KP let alone an entire country!
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May 22, 2017 08:25pm
IK will speak like NS if he comes to power; and NS will speak like IK if he goes in opposition.
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May 22, 2017 08:28pm
May be the way precieve things is quiet different than the way the world sees it. Is it time we step back and consider these things or are we looking to dig our head in to the sand.
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May 22, 2017 08:29pm
@HYDERABADI spot on my brother, we are not Arabs that is for sure,we are brown people looked upon by Arabs as inferior, but than why Pakistani want to be known as Arabs,
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May 22, 2017 08:34pm
@HYDERABADI A typical Indian writing senseless. It was Arabs & Muslim Leaders Summit that is why Pakistan was there.
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May 22, 2017 08:48pm
@Azhar Hussain "It was Arabs & Muslim Leaders Summit that is why Pakistan was there" Chaired by American isn't amazing
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May 22, 2017 08:48pm
IK is complaining what's new in that ? ?
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May 22, 2017 09:24pm
@Amin U Ansari -- Imran Khan is fearless as he has always been. But politics is not the same as cricket or any other sport! People do change colours as it suits them. Politics and power corrupt everyone.
Good luck to Imran in his future endeavours!
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May 22, 2017 09:28pm
@Dawn ADMIRER very true....
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May 22, 2017 10:37pm
@Amin U Ansari
Mindless as well.
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May 22, 2017 11:57pm
very disappointing statement
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May 23, 2017 12:05am
@Ali He (IK) is advocating a mess. He is trying to bring nations at conflict to come together not by isolating but including each other in the affairs of understanding the issues and resolve them.
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May 23, 2017 12:07am
@(3H) Eventually the majority of people will understand the political and economic corruption of PML-N and reject it. PPP is already rejected.
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May 23, 2017 12:15am
Pakistan is very strategically located in this geo political setup. The importance of our nation needs to be understood by our leaders, when attending (if attending) such conferences. We are instrumental in the world order at the moment, and that has to be voiced with confidence. One must understand where we are and where we come from to advance to where we want to be. We can pay all the debt if we can unite, and unite we must firstly with our neighbors. We need to sort out this 'nokar' attitude with the US and Saudi, as we surely aren't. The ones who benefit from this deal have mansions outside Pakistan and conveniently go into self-exile when matters are not in their favour. I am not too sure if I disagree with Imran not being the most mature politician, but what is the politics of sitting like a mute in an 'Arab' conference. You can live a thousand years like a slave, or a few days like a free man Mr. Sharif. Speak for the country that has elected you, speak for us.
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May 23, 2017 01:02am
Always complaining, always criticizing. Grow up man, we are tired of reading the same script everyday. Find some hobby, reading, writing, watching movies, singing (if you can) etc.
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May 23, 2017 01:10am
@faisal well said. I wish he read your comment start doing something positive so he can get few votes from other than JI supporters
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May 23, 2017 01:25am
Regardless of our differences with the current government, each one of us has the responsibility to defend our PM especially when he is interacting with other governments.
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May 23, 2017 01:26am
PM is never effective nor does he have the skill to be effective in such high profile meetings. Complete lack of backbone
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May 23, 2017 01:31am
you should say truth what ever is the result , IK is on right point atleast on this point
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May 23, 2017 01:54am
What happened to those news conferences used to conduct whenever leaders of state used to land back from foreign countries? That used to be accountability which are not seeing from last several years.
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May 23, 2017 02:36am
Excellent mindset Mr Imran Khan.....true gentleman, will never compromise Pakistan's interest.
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May 23, 2017 02:38am
Distant Saudi is not our friend is only using Pakistan.
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May 23, 2017 02:50am
I wonder that we have thousands of problems to be solved within the border so why to worry about others and why not focus on the internal issues of pakistan but just ready to attend summits and visit the world eagerly. a true leader always thinks about its followers before itself.
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May 23, 2017 04:00am
very sad and disgraceful
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May 23, 2017 04:05am
I agree with the Great Khan. PM Nawaz you have taken his moment in the Sun and thrown light on what IK has said. The world was listening...
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May 23, 2017 04:25am
NS seems to have no interest in working for Pakistan thus no foreign minister. These politicians only want to enjoy the perks and power...
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May 23, 2017 06:29am
@M Taimur What sacrifices my dear you were not doing a charity but paid for it that is the reality ?
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May 23, 2017 06:57am
If Trump does not talk about Palestinians and do talk about India mean it is very simple and straight forward. There is no use NS banging on his head there. Pakistan moving to China and US thinks that Pakistan is not reliable for them. They have inclined towards india.So natural ly they talk about their concerns and countries they are interested in..if something cannot be changed. There is no use talking and keeping quiet is simply right It is not that US don't know anything what he has mentioned. They know everything Pakistan being victim of terrorism and Kashmir issue, everything as Pakistan do and they are clear what they want and.that is conveyed. May be IK is a better person for Pakistan in my view as sports persons put national interest first more than a business guy but it is not true in all the cases and times..
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May 23, 2017 07:17am
Add China in the list.
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May 23, 2017 07:21am
Our leaders need to know that every single penny of the country must never go in waste and particularly they must shun personal enjoyments at the cost of public money and they must be accountable for whatever they spent during their tenure and lastly they be punished for their wrong doing in any way.
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May 23, 2017 07:45am
Very sensible statement by IK.
It's correct, loud and clear byt unfortunately NS will not follow it because of Assylum they provided to NS
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May 23, 2017 07:51am
Too much criticism is not good for country.
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May 23, 2017 08:26am
This is the voice of true pakistani. I think khan do not have lust of power he just has principle..
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May 23, 2017 09:57am
@Zakir you are not correct about the position of the non-bengali muslims in Bangladesh. The fact is that they are not persecuted here, rather they have got citizenship of BD and doing well in different sectors being of their craftsmanship skills.
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May 23, 2017 10:39am
I am 200% agree with Imran Khan.
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May 23, 2017 11:35am
Well Said
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May 23, 2017 02:38pm
He is right
Read international news articles on the same
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May 24, 2017 04:19pm
A true nd brave leader can give such statements. Inshallah ummat e muslima will be united and will lead the world under the leadership of imran khan
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May 25, 2017 05:34am
"The most important thing is that he [Trump] did not even mention Pakistan ... the country that fought America's war and lost 70,000 people,"
I highly appreciate Mr. Imran Khan for this statement. This is truly why Pakistan fell into today's misery, a weakening economy, endless terror attacks, etc. etc., all are direct or indirect spill-over effect of US war on "terror" in the region.
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May 25, 2017 05:58am
@SYED H why go there in the first place then...
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May 25, 2017 06:00am
@(3H) lo....it is the Pkistani people who will lose not IK. He is enjoying life...gets more attention then the PM. Has anyone ever seen our PM actually say something he has thought about himself. Such an intelligent fellow that no one knows what is happening in his mind.
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May 25, 2017 08:49pm
Sir
Nawaz Sharif is more interested in his business interest in Saudi Arabia rather than interest of Pakistan.
Today Pakistan has lost a all weather friend like Iran who stood by Pakistan during all the wars with India, supported the Kashmir cause in favour of Pakistan, built the gas pipeline to provide gas at lower rate to name a few favours.
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May 25, 2017 09:35pm
Imranji if you are Prime Minister of Pakistan you might have treated the same way. Plsease keep quite.
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