Lahore, October 28: In a strong warning to the country's intelligence agency, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said "he could have exposed the ISI, but refrained for the betterment of the country."
"DG ISI (ISI Director-General Nadeem Anjum) open your ears and listen, I know a lot of things, but I am quiet only because I don't want to harm my country... I do constructive criticism for betterment otherwise there was a lot I could say," Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said during the rally.
Imran Khan and other party members started off the much-anticipated "Haqiqi Azadi Long March" from Lahore's Liberty Chowk to Islamabad. The rivalry between Imran Khan and ISI has been an upbeat issue since Imran Khan's ouster from power. Earlier, Imran Khan said the then-opposition coalition was "afraid" that he would appoint former ISI chief Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed as the next chief of the army staff.
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"They were afraid that I wanted to appoint Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed. They feared that if that would have happened then it would shatter their future," the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman said. Clarifying his stance, Imran Khan said, "I never thought of appointing someone as army chief. I have never taken a decision that is not based on merit."
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The rivalry between Imran Khan and ISI has been an upbeat issue since Imran Khan's ouster from power.[/caption]
Imran Khan once again applauded India for its independent foreign policy and New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil in line with its national interests despite Western pressure amid the Ukraine war.
During his first speech, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said India was able to import oil from Russia at its will, however Pakistanis were a slave who failed to make decisions for the welfare of their country's people.
"The decisions of this nation must be made inside the nation. If Russia is giving cheap oil and if I have the choice to save my countrymen, no one should ask us. No one should be able to tell us. India can take oil from Russia but slave Pakistanis are not allowed. I want to see a free country and justice must prevail and people should be provided safety and security," Imran Khan said.
In the political struggle of 26 years, Imran Khan said this was the most crucial journey that he was starting. "My aim is only one. We were being freed from the Britishers and it is time we start the Haqiqi Azadi. This is my message to all Pakistanis. This march is not for politics and not for elections or for religion. There is only one motive for the rally that I want to make Pakistan free."
"Listen to this carefully. People are watching the drama. Inflation has engulfed the country. Imported thieves have done the blunder of inflation. But they (ruling party members) are acquitted of Rs 11 crore scam. Their handlers, if they believe, they will be accepted.. listen carefully, this country will be able to sacrifice anything," he said.
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-PTC News with ANI inputs
