Govt trying to push PTI out of political arena through foreign funding case: Imran Khan

• Imran Khan demands the court cases against PTI, PML-N, PPP be heard together.
• Says thieves have been imposed on Pakistani public once again.
• Says he is holding jalsa for the sake of future of Pakistani children.

KARACHI: PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday evening claimed that the incumbent, "imported" government is trying to push the PTI out of the political arena through the foreign funding case, therefore, for the sake of fairness, the court cases against PPP, PTI, and PML-N must be heard together. 

Addressing a jalsa at Karachi's Bagh-e-Jinnah, the former prime minister thanked the people of the metropolis for coming out of their houses to show support to him and said that the purpose of his visit to Karachi was not in the interests of the PTI but it was for the sake of Pakistan and the future of its children. 

Talking about the foreign funding case against the PTI, Imran Khan said that the case has been filed to kick him "out of the game" (political arena).

"I say foreign funding and his (Shehbaz Sharif's) corruption case should be heard together," said Imran Khan as he alleged that "false cases" would be made against him and his former cabinet by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

"If you push us against the wall, then you will be harmed, not the country. We have to remain peaceful," Imran Khan told his followers. 

'Interference or conspiracy?'

At the beginning of his address, Imran Khan asked the attendees of the jalsa to listen to him carefully so that they could determine whether his ouster from power was an "interference or conspiracy". 

The PTI chairman also asked a charged crowd to raise their hands and show whether they believed his removal was an "interference or a conspiracy".

"A major international conspiracy was carried out against this country," said Imran, adding that throughout his tenure, he was not against any country and stood with humanity. 

The former prime minister also shared that since a "strong and powerful" Pakistani community lives in the United States, he believes in establishing congenial relations with all countries. 

"My Pakistanis, I want friendship with everyone but I cannot allow our country to become a slave to anyone," he maintained, adding that before coming to Karachi, people were telling him that his life is under "threat" as "mafias" are after him.

"[Nonetheless, I decided to come here] as my life is not as important as your freedom. This conspiracy is to make you slaves to foreign powers. One Mir Jaffer has been imposed on us via a conspiracy," he said while referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The PTI chief then went on to explain to the crowd who Mir Jaffer was.

Explaining the alleged conspiracy against him that led to his ouster from the government, Imran Khan told the people that he learned three to four months ago that US officials had started meeting the leaders of the then Opposition along with PTI's dissident MPs and journalists at the American embassy.

Imran Khan said that after those meetings, when US State Department official Donald Lu met the Pakistani ambassador, he knew that the no-confidence motion was being tabled against his government. 

The PTI chairman claimed that the official had "threatened" the Pakistani envoy that if the motion is not successful "then it will be very difficult for Pakistan", adding that he said Pakistan would be "forgiven" if the no-confidence motion is "successful".

"Tell me what more disappointing threat can be issued to 220 million people? And who are they threatening? The country’s elected prime minister," said Imran Khan.  

The former prime minister shared that after the meeting, his dissident MPs and the allies started parting ways with the government. 

"Tell me Pakistanis, whether it was a conspiracy or not? Which country is threatened like this?" asked Imran Khan. 

'Why were the courts opened at 12am?'

The former prime minister said that when ex-deputy speaker Qasim Suri learned about the "threat" letter he adjourned the session of the no-confidence motion. 

"After that, the Supreme Court issued a verdict, so we accepted the decision because our hands were tied," said Imran Khan. 

The PTI chairperson said that the courts were opened at 12am on the day of the vote of the no-confidence motion.

"I want to ask what crime was I committing that the courts were opened at odd hours. I am a Pakistani who named his party after justice," said Imran Khan. 

The former prime minister claimed that he had not broken "any of Pakistan’s law so far" and told the crowd that he was the "only politician who was declared Sadiq and Amin" by the Supreme Court.  

"I knew the match was fixed. But what hurt me the most was that the courts, out of fear that I would violate the Constitution, had to open their gates at 12am. This pain will remain in my heart for the rest of my life," said the PTI chairman.

The former prime minister also asked the Supreme court why it did not investigate the cypher that was cited by the former deputy speaker. 

"They (US) knew who was to assume power once I was ousted. Mir Jaffer was ready with his Ajkan. He is an expert in boot polishing. Once the cherry blossom [came to power] he got the order to do more," said Imran Khan while talking about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. 

'West does not respect leaders who polish its boots'

The former prime minister said that he understands "Americans and Europeans better than these politicians" and added that whenever the West sees a leader standing for their country, then it tries to pressurise that person, but deep down, it "respects" such leaders. 

"When you polish their boot with cherry blossom, they do not respect you," said the PTI chairman while taking a shot at PM Shehbaz.

'Do not forgive those who sold their conscience'

The former prime minister also asked the judiciary why they did not take suo motu notice when the PTI MPs were "betraying their mandate and selling themselves". He urged the masses not to forgive those who sold their "conscience".

"If this conspiracy is successful, then no prime minister will be able to stand against America’s threats," claimed Imran Khan. 

The former premier then explained to the people how Pakistan got involved in the war against terror. He took up to explain the issue while mentioning the soldiers martyred in North Waziristan a day earlier. 

"I ask America what problem do you have with me?" the former prime minister said. He also questioned what could be more "disrespectful" for a country than having a man, who is on bail in a corruption case, as the prime minister of the country. 

"They [the western countries] have high standards for themselves but they have made a criminal our prime minister," claimed Imran Khan, adding that western powers make criminals head of the government as they are easily sellable. 

"Americans have imposed him (Shehbaz Sharif) on us. People who were looting the country for 30 years have been imposed on us once again," claimed Imran Khan.

'Thieves have returned to power'

The PTI chairman also claimed that action will be taken against officers who were involved in the cases of PML-N leaders. 

"Look, the thieves have returned to power," said Imran Khan. 

Turning his gun towards former premier Nawaz Sharif, the PTI chairman claimed that the PML-N supremo was behind the conspiracy against his government.  

"He ran away by lying twice. Now he is preparing to return," said Imran Khan. 

The PTI chairperson warned that the incoming leaders would "loot the country again". 

"You have taken to the streets in cities and in villages. If you accept the conspiracy, your children will not forgive you," said Imran Khan.

The former prime minister also said that there is no "third way" and one cannot be "neutral" in such circumstances.

"If people want this Mir Jafar, then do it by winning the election," Imran Khan said to PML-N supporters. However, he told the crowd that he believes that the incumbent government will not win the elections.

Karachi jalsa

Today’s jalsa was one of the many public gatherings planned by the PTI as they are ramping up the political temperature to demand early elections after the ouster of Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion.

While some PTI leaders came to Karachi for the jalsa, other prominent leaders including Hammad Azhar, and Shafqat Mehmood gathered at Lahore’s Liberty Chowk where PTI supporters came out on the call of Khan.

Khan arrived in Karachi on a charter plane and was received by PTI leader Imran Ismail and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, among other leaders.

According to reports, Khan went to the Governor House from the airport where he chaired a party meeting after which he went to Bagh e Jinnah to address the jalsa.