Bilawal Imran Supporters: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has described the supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan as political terrorists. Bilawal Bhutto said on the incidents of violence and vandalism in the protests that erupted after the arrest of Imran, how can talks be held with political terrorists.
Addressing a rally of the Pakistan People’s Party on Saturday, Bhutto referred to Imran Khan’s release from jail and said the country’s judiciary was becoming excessively political. According to Pakistani media, Bhutto said that Imran Khan could not hold talks with supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), whom he considered no less than terrorists.
Bilawal said – we supported the talks
Bilawal said that we always supported talks and even persuaded our allies for this. But, how can we talk to terrorists? We can hold talks only with those who condemn terrorism and disassociate ourselves from these political terrorists.”
Judiciary compared to ‘Tiger Force’
In his party rally, Bilawal Bhutto condemned the bail granted to Imran Khan in several cases and commented on the nature of judges in the system. He also said that the judiciary should not interfere in politics and that the judiciary or any organ would not be allowed to become the tiger force of the party.
He said, “When we restore democracy, the judiciary becomes excessively political and when there is dictatorship, they remain silent. On the other hand, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the government will identify the perpetrators of sabotage and violence through CCTV footage and they will be arrested one by one.
Home Minister reacted to Imran’s statements
The home minister also reacted to Imran Khan’s statements in which the former prime minister had called for nationwide protests by his supporters. The PTI chief called for the demonstration days after clashes broke out between his followers and Pakistani security forces following his arrest by Rangers.
Slamming the current Shehbaz Sharif administration, Imran Khan urged Pakistani women to come out with handwritten placards reading “Hakiki Azaadi (True Freedom) and Ain Bachao Pakistan Bachao (Save the Constitution, Save Pakistan)”. Imran Khan said, ‘Stand outside your homes with these placards for just one hour from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm.’
Why was Imran Khan arrested?
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested on May 9 from the premises of the Islamabad High Court by armed paramilitary forces in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The Islamabad High Court on Friday granted him protective bail for two weeks in a corruption case and restrained authorities from arresting the former Pakistan prime minister in any case registered anywhere in the country till Monday.
Khan is facing over 120 cases across the country for allegedly sedition and blasphemy and inciting violence and terrorism.