Imran also addressed the allegations levelled against him of making the appointment of the army chief controversial, saying, “I never made it controversial.

“I say that the army chief should be appointed on merit. I don’t want an army chief, judge, IG or NAB head of my choice. I want the best people on the basis of merit.”

The former premier went on to allege that the country’s incumbent rulers wanted to appoint people of their choice to top posts, claiming the Islamabad IG’s appointment by PM Shehbaz was such an example. “Because he (the IG) is corrupt, he will now serve him (the PM), he will do every unlawful task given by him.”