Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Criticizes PTI Founder Imran Khan

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. Asif accused Khan of seeking relief from various sources after the retirement of former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa. He claimed that Khan was taken to General Amjad Awan’s house by hiding in a car trunk and made desperate requests for relief.

Asif made these remarks while addressing the National Assembly, responding to PTI Secretary-General Omar Ayub Khan’s criticism of the federal budget. Ayub had slammed the government for presenting a budget against the nation’s interests, calling it the work of an ‘economic hitman’.

Asif recalled Ayub’s past praise for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif, comparing it to his current support for Imran Khan. He also mentioned that PML-N would welcome PTI if it apologized for the May 9 riots that occurred after Imran Khan’s arrest.

Additionally, Asif criticized PTI for writing a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), asking the global lender to link funding to the audit of alleged election rigging. He accused PTI of wanting the country to default after being ousted from power.