Pakistan’s former cricket captain also leads the opposition party in the country
He said people would ‘celebrate’ if the army took over the current government
His comments were described as ‘shameful’ by one government minister
Former cricketer Imran Khan has been accused of endorsing a military coup against his political rival in Pakistan.
The 63-year-old former Test captain, who also leads an opposition party in the country, said people would ‘celebrate’ if the army took over prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s government.
Khan then compared Sharif’s situation to that of Turkey’s president Recep Erdogan who faced an attempted coup on Friday – and argued that people would not back the government in Islamabad in the same way.
Former cricketer Imran Khan has been accused of endorsing a military coup against his political rival in Pakistan
Former cricketer Imran Khan has been accused of endorsing a military coup against his political rival in Pakistan
The 63-year-old former Test captain, who also leads an opposition party in the country, said people would ‘celebrate’ if the army took over prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s (pictured) government
The 63-year-old former Test captain, who also leads an opposition party in the country, said people would ‘celebrate’ if the army took over prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s (pictured) government
According to the Hindustan Times, he said at a rally in Kashmir: ‘Democracy in Pakistan is threatened by Nawaz’s monarchy and the people will celebrate and distribute sweets if the army takes over.’
Referring to the situation in Turkey, he reportedly added: ‘Erdogan served his people, paid off their country’s debts, and constructed hospitals. That is why people supported him against the military.’
It is not the first time Khan, who fronts the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has criticised Sharif. But his comments have drawn anger with one political party asking police in Lahore to register a criminal case against the former all-rounder for his ‘unconstitutional’ remarks.
19 July 2016
Editor