VEHARI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan has accused PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam of looting taxpayers’ money and said the Sharifs had committed Rs300 billion worth of corruption.

Addressing a public gathering in connection with party`s election campaign at college ground, Burewala, some 35-km from here on Wednesday, he said Nawaz failed to produce even a single document in the court to prove innocence in the Avenfield reference. Imran said Nawaz and his daughter [allegedly] tried to cheat the court by producing fake documents and telling lies.

The PTI chairman urged the people to use their right to vote carefully as the upcoming general election would decide the future of the nation.

He alleged that the previous rulers had looted the wealth of Pakistan and multiplied their assets. Imran alleged that around Rs1,000bn were laundered abroad annually due to which the currency exchange rate faced pressure.

The [alleged] money laundering, he said, caused shortage of dollars in the country as result “we have to approach the World Bank and other financial institutions for loans and for debt servicing the government has to increase taxes on the masses, which triggers inflation.” He said [if voted to power] the PTI would bring about reforms in the Federal Bureau of Revenue. “We will also strengthen the National Accountability Bureau, provide health cards to the people and plant more and more trees across the country.”

Imran Khan said Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz were happy over the court verdict against Nawaz Sharif. He alleged that they were also involved in corrupt practices.

He said: “After Nawaz, it is Asif Zardari’s turn to face accountability for corruption. There are money laundering cases against Zardari and he will also be held accountable.”

The PTI chief said [after becoming the prime minister], he would recover all money looted by the previous rulers.

Imran criticised Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, saying ‘baby’ Bilawal wanted to be prime minister without any political struggle.

Almost all local PTI leaders were present in the public meeting at college ground.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2018