ISLAMABAD: Former President Asif Ali Zardari has condemned PTI chairman Imran Khan’s remarks about the breakup of Pakistan.
In a statement, Zardari said Imran Khan’s statement makes him sound like he is not a Pakistani. “This language is not of a Pakistani, but of Modi as no Pakistani could talk of tearing Pakistan into pieces,” he added.
He urged the former prime minister to be brave and learn to stand on his feet, saying that power isn’t everything in the world.
“The desire to tear Pakistan into pieces can not be fulfilled until we and our decedents are alive, Pakistan will exist till the day of judgement,” vowed Asif Zardari.
Zardari has instructed the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to launch a countrywide protest against Imran Khan’s comments.
Imran predicts break-up
PTI Chairman Imran Khan has warned that if the establishment did not take the right decision, then Pakistan could break into three parts.
In an interview with a private television channel, the former prime minister said the current political situation was a problem for the country and the establishment.
“If the establishment doesn’t make the right decisions then I can assure in writing that they and the army will be destroyed because what will become of the country if it goes bankrupt,” he said.
“Pakistan is going towards a default. If that happens then which institution will be [worst] hit? The army. After it is hit, what concession will be taken from us? Denuclearisation.”
“If the right decisions aren’t made at this time then the country is going towards suicide,” he warned.
“Indian think tanks abroad are mulling to separate Balochistan, they have plans, this is why I am putting pressure,” the ousted premier said, without mentioning who he is pressuring.
He also admitted that his powers as a prime minister had been clipped, saying the strings were actually pulled by “certain quarters” that held the reins of power.
He also admitted that his ascension to power had been precarious from the very first day as he lacked the majority.
Imran Khan said he didn’t have absolute powers and had to lean on coalition partners to form the government saying it was a mistake he wouldn’t repeat.
“Our hands were tied. We were blackmailed from everywhere. Power wasn’t with us. Everyone knows where the power lies in Pakistan so we had to rely on them,” he continued in his opaque references.
Imran Khan shared that his government operated within a stifling power structure that subdued his authority even as he wanted to do better for the country.
