Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) disgruntled member of Punjab Assembly Aleem Khan on Monday lambasted Imran Khan and asked him whether it was treacherous that he “met a US ambassador” at his residence.
Aleem, who is a former senior provincial minister, lashed out at the former government and PTI leader for calling him a “traitor” and said it was “unfortunate” that they were resorting to maligning him.
“I have become a traitor, tell Cheema and Salik they are also traitors, they have taken the money. I have had a very difficult time from 2010 to 2018 (when PML-N was in power),” he said during a press conference on Monday.
The ex-senior minister criticised the prime minister and asked him why he did not like anyone from among the 183 MPAs in the Punjab for chief minister. “You nominated the person [as the chief minister] whom you used to call the biggest dacoit in Punjab,” he said while referring to CM hopeful Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.
Aleem said Imran Khan had cases registered against disgruntled PTI leader Jahangir Tareen. “You sent your close aides to jail. We informed you about every corrupt practice Buzdar was involved in. But [it seems] the ones standing with you are patriots, others are traitors,” he thundered.
The former minister said Farah Bibi — a close aide of Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi — has left for Dubai as she was involved in a big bribery scandal.
Farah was involved in transfers and postings of bureaucrats in the Punjab, but now she and her husband have “absconded”.
“Once such bureaucrats are arrested, everything will come to light, including where Farah transferred the money,” alleged Aleem.
“I do not want to mention anything else about Imran Khan’s family,” he said.
SHAHBAZ GILL: Former special assistant to the prime minister and PTI leader Shahbaz Gill, in response to Aleem’s hard-hitting press conference, said he was “saddened” after witnessing the ex-senior minister’s grievances.
“I will respond to Aleem on behalf of the prime minister: You joined PTI without any ulterior motive. Aleem Khan should have expressed such reservations when he was part of the PTI,” he added.
“Aleem Khan’s business interests clashed with PTI’s manifesto several times,” he said.
‘IMRAN NEVER HELPS CORRUPT’: In a tweet, former energy minister Hammad Azhar said it was Imran’s trait that he did not protect even his aides if they were involved in any wrongdoing.
“Aleem Khan, it was your mistake to expect from Imran Khan that he would save you from NAB investigation. Imran Khan does not benefit anyone outside the law in business or land matters,” he added.
Former information minister Fawad Chaudhry expressed regret over Aleem’s statement, saying that all allegations that the latter hurled at PM Imran would ultimately damage his own reputation.
Estranged Aleem also regretted that he dedicated 10 years of his life to the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI). “I supported the party with complete dedication and hard work for Naya Pakistan in the face of Imran Khan. I’m sad that the person I spent 10 years of my life for is not sincere with the nation,” he lamented.
