Imran Khan in first speech as ousted PM makes 3 bold statements
The last time a phrase by former Pakistan PM Imran Khan caught everyone's fancy was when he said ghabrana nahi hai. This became a meme all over Pakistan and India. Now, Kaptaan’s new catchphrase for his supporters is "Imported government na manzoor (Imported government will not be accepted)". Khan called out to his supporters to hit the streets and not rest unless the dates for new elections are announced.
In his first speech since being ousted from the PM's office, Imran Khan had a changed tone. He was unapologetic and aggressive. But in his speech, Khan went on to make some bold statements; something quite a U-turn from when he was the PM.
Here are three statements that stood out from Imran Khan's first speech since losing his chair:
1. NAMING THEY-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED
"Americans hame tumhari maafi ki zaroorat nahi hai (America, we don’t need your forgiveness)," Imran said from the rostrum to his supporters. Until now, Khan said everything he had to about a 'foreign conspiracy', but stopped short of uttering the word 'America'. Imran said that kit wasn't the same Pakistan where America forcefully got General Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and hanged him, and the thieves (Sharif family) helped them. Khan called it 'Naya Pakistan'.
Khan also called the current interim PM Shehbaz Sharif a criminal, his son a criminal, his brother and ex-Pak PM Nawaz Sharif a fugitive criminal, and his son and daughter too thieves.
2. THE DIG AT INDIA AND ISRAEL
Imran Khan also said that India and Israel were the happiest on his removal as PM of Pakistan. “Mujhe nikalne ki sabse zyada khushi India aur Israel ko hai,” Khan said.
As PM of Pakistan, Khan was soft on India. In fact, in his last address to Pakistan, he called Indians khuddar qaum (esteemed people), the ones whom nobody can dictate terms to, in context of the Ukraine-Russia War and India's neutral stand. Khan had praised India for keeping an open foreign policy and not being influenced by any country like America.
As for Israel, it's hidden from none that Pakistan and Israel have shared bitter relations for a long time. Imran’s tirade against Israel is understandable.
3. WILL BE MORE DANGEROUS
Imran minced no words when it came to the Sharif family. He called the entire Sharif family thieves. He levelled a Rs 400-crore corruption charge against Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif. “Will we accept this man as PM?” Khan said. Khan said he was not dangerous when in power, but that now he will be more dangerous.
A calm and composed Imran Khan, who would always talk of mending relations with talks, has suddenly taken a U-turn. He is now talking of revenge. The coming months will reveal more of his traits as he begins his rallies in Pakistan to collate more support for his party.