Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan is not a political prisoner but a criminal, making it clear that the government will not release him, reported Express News.
He made these remarks on the issue of gifts received by the former prime minister, accusing Khan of selling them cheaply for personal gain. He also criticized the PTI leadership, accusing it of bringing the country to the brink of economic collapse during his four years in power.
At a press conference on Friday, he expressed concern over the harmful consequences of PTI governance, stating that the party’s actions had plunged the country into a serious economic crisis.
He stated: “The incompetence of the PTI leadership over the last four years has brought the nation to the brink of disaster. Today, the PTI is involved in actions that even extremist elements like RAW never dared to carry out in the past.”
Iqbal further criticized the PTI for allegedly conspiring against the army and associating with foreign elements hostile to Pakistan, accusing the party of trying to tarnish Pakistan’s international standing, particularly in the West.
Addressing the current economic situation, the minister assured that the federal government is taking strong measures to stabilize the economy.
He noted that under the current government, Pakistan’s economic prospects have improved, with reports highlighting a 30% increase in remittances this year. “After our government came to power, the global perception of Pakistan’s economy changed for the better,” he said.
The minister also mentioned the launch of the federal government’s “Uraan” program, which he described as a critical initiative to boost the country’s economic growth. He stressed that economic stability requires a peaceful environment and stated that no investor would come to a country plagued by unrest and chaos in its streets.
Iqbal continued his criticism of the PTI, pointing out that the ruling party’s leaders had continually sought to discredit Pakistan’s legal institutions, unlike the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which had chosen to fight its legal battles within the courts of the country.
“We never seek to defame the reputation of our country. It is the PTI that has damaged the image of Pakistan,” he said.
The minister further alleged that PTI leaders misused public funds, accusing former Prime Minister Imran Khan of channeling approximately Rs 50 billion to a friend’s account, calling it a clear case of corruption. “If this isn’t a robbery, what is?” he questioned.
In conclusion, he reiterated that the federal government was focused on restoring the economic health of the country, improving infrastructure and maintaining law and order to attract investments and ensure the stability of Pakistan’s future.
