HYDERABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh information secretary Senator Aajiz Dhamra has lashed out at Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan for criticising PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

He asked Mr Khan to put his own house – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – in order first.

Addressing a press conference at the local press club on Sunday, he said that soon after his arrival in Karachi, Imran Khan resorted to levelling baseless accusations against Asif Zardari. It was just ridiculous to see Mr Khan talking about women’s rights in Karachi because everyone was aware of his commitment with the cause, he said.

He stated that Imran Khan was ladla [blue eyed boy] as no notice would be taken even if he killed seven people in a row. He said that in fact Imran Khan was angry since [Pakistan Awami Tehreek leader] Tahirul Qadri’s programme in Lahore, and claimed as the argument that “when Asif Zardari addressed the first session, a crowd was there but when Imran Khan spoke, the chairs were empty,” he claimed.

He said the PPP never pondered over joining hands with the PTI or talking to its chairman.

He said that Mr Khan talked endlessly only to remain in the limelight. He remarked that he [Mr Khan] cursed the parliament and instead of tendering an apology, he took a stronger stance over his act and viewpoint but media and other institutions remained silent spectators.

He pointed out that the PTI chief himself was part of the same parliament which he dubbed as a den of thieves. Interestingly, he said, Mr Khan was dreaming of becoming premier through the same parliament and waiting for the signal of the ‘third umpire’ simultaneously. He reminded Mr Khan that it was the same parliament which had approved the 1973 Constitution.

He said that when PTI MNAs had returned to the National Assembly after tendering their resignations during the 2014 sit-in, PML-N members had criticised them and it was only the PPP which had supported the opposition members.

He said “the joker of Rawalpindi” had left for Dubai after announcing his resignation. PTI members should tender their resignations before the NA speaker, otherwise they would not be considered ‘sadiq’ and ‘amin’.

He said Asif Zardari was exonerated by courts after facing trial for 11 years and Imran Khan was free to hold him accountable. Mr Khan should explain why did he abolish the Ehtesab [Accountability] Commission in the KPK and did not hold investigations into allegations against his party’s chief minister.

Senator Dhamra told reporters that PTI members were quitting the party. He asked Imran Khan to explain when the Dera Ismail Khan’s girl, who was paraded naked, would get justice.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2018