Nawaz will be responsible if ‘third-force’ steps in after Islamabad lockdown: Imran

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has said PrimeMinister Nawaz Sharif will be responsible if a “third-force” stepped into power as a result of his upcoming lockdown of the federal capital on November 2.

“One person will be responsible if democracy is derailed,” Imran said while referring to the PM as he addressed media personnel outside his Bani Gala residence. Although the cricketer-turned-politician did not name the ‘third force’, his statement seemed to refer to the military establishment.

Imran accused the government of defaming Pakistan Army on the pretext of PTI’s protest. “In a democratic country prime minister is accountable to the people, however, Nawaz only wants to save his wealth.”

Panama Papers are not accusations but evidence of prime minister’s corruption, the PTI leader claimed. Taking a jibe at Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Imran said: “Those who call themselves opposition are defending Nawaz to save their own faces.”

Commenting on the hearing of Panamagate Scandal in the Supreme Court on November 1, the party chairman said while the apex court may sentence the prime minister, the PTI was only demanding Nawaz’s resignation for a fair investigation.

“Protest is our democratic right and the government will have to face severe consequences if it tries to stop us,” the PTI chief warned.

The PTI on Saturday won ‘unconditional support’ of the PML-Q for its Nov 2 sit-in in the federal capital. Together the two parties decided to approach the Pakistan Awami Tehreek of Dr Tahirul Qadri, which, ‘is likely to join the protest’.