Imran Khan says prime minister's businesses a 'front for corruption'

Published July 19, 2017
"If the report says the same thing I do then it goes to prove that I have been right all along," says Imran — DawnNews
"If the report says the same thing I do then it goes to prove that I have been right all along," says Imran — DawnNews

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was given multiple chances to come clean, yet he is still confused about what crime he is accused of.

He was commenting on renewed Supreme Court proceedings in the Panamagate case after a six-member joint investigation team submitted a damning report on the Sharif family's financial history on July 10.

"He was given five chances to tell the truth about his properties and provide a money trail for his investments, he has lied each time," Khan alleged while addressing a press conference.

"After telling all those lies, the man still asks what he is accused of," he added.

"You [Nawaz Sharif] said you were running businesses, when that was just a front for corruption. How else can you explain that all of your businesses were raking up losses but your properties kept multiplying?" Khan asked.

"This man has been stealing money from national projects and sending it abroad," the PTI chief accused.

Khan went on to say that one way or the other, Nawaz Sharif's days in Prime Minister House are numbered.

"Even if he does not resign, he will still have to go; and not abroad — this time he will go directly to Adiala Jail," Khan claimed.

"I [also] demand that the entire family's names are put on the Exit Control List, because they will try to run away yet again."

Taking a dig at various PML-N leaders calling the JIT's investigation report an 'Imran-nama' he said: "If the report says the same thing I do, it only goes to prove that I have been right all along."

Reservations about the ECP

The PTI chief also said that he believes the incumbent Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is compromised.

The ECP is currently hearing a disqualification reference against Imran Khan.

"The ECP should be a body that the country trusts. We demand that overseas Pakistanis be allowed to vote in the next election," he said.

"A bio-metric system should be introduced for voting next year and the caretaker government should be unbiased in order for a free and fair election," he added.

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