PM Shehbaz, Imran Khan trade barbs in Twitter spat

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday got engaged in a fiery debate on social media blogging site, Twitter, hours after the federal cabinet approved an ordinance to bypass all the procedures and abolished regulatory checks for selling state assets to foreign countries.

Sharing the news story published in a media outlet, Khan questioned how an “imported government” be trusted with the sale of national assets.

“How can imported government brought to power through US conspiracy, led by crime minister, who’s family along with [PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali] Zardari have volumes written on their corruption, be trusted with the sale of national assets [and] that too [through] bypassing all procedural [and] legal checks,” argued the PTI Chief.

Khan further accused the two ruling families for “plundering Pakistan for the last 30 years” and for the “present economic meltdown”.

“These thieves should never be allowed to sell our national assets in the devious manner they are attempting. The nation will never trust them with our national assets,” he wrote.

Khan suffers from memory loss: Sharif responds

Replying to the PTI chairman’s tweets, PM Shehbaz said that Khan “suffers from a memory loss and needs a few reminders”.

“One, as per Transparency International report, corruption increased during his rule. Even transfers/postings were on sale in addition to big scams. Two, the people are paying the price of how he mismanaged the economy,” he added.

Highlighting the third point, Sharif accused Khan of “deeply hurting” the global prestige and standing of the country and its relations with friendly countries.

“Four, he has lost a sense of balance in his lust for power, which is evidenced by his habitual recourse to lies, propaganda [and] blatant twisting of facts,” concluded the prime minister.

Mian Abrar
Mian Abrar
The writer heads Pakistan Today's Islamabad Bureau. He has a special focus on counter-terrorism and inter-state relations in Asia, Asia Pacific and South East Asia regions. He tweets as @mian_abrar and also can be reached at [email protected]

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