LONDON: PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Tuesday slammed PTI Chairman Imran Khan and said his only aim for holding the long march was to restrict the incumbent government from appointing the next army chief.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Khan contacted the government last month for discussing two matters — one of them being the appointment of the army chief. However, the premier refused to discuss it with him.
The extended term of army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa will come to an end on November 29 and the coalition government has time and again stressed that his successor will be appointed in due course and in line with the Constitution.
“Imran Khan’s 22-year political struggle revolves around General Musharraf, Pasha, Zaheer ul Islam, and those whom he calls his eyes and ears,” Maryam told a press conference in London.
Maryam said Khan depends on the establishment to support him, but his plans will fail as in line with the Constitution and the law, PM Shehbaz will appoint the next army chief “peacefully”.
“Khan has nothing to do with the appointment. His last card has also failed. People did not partake in the long march, and why would the sons and daughters come to the march? Your children are sitting peacefully outside, so why should the sons of the soil come out to support you?”
The PML-N leader said the “part-time” long march ends within two hours after it starts, and it is stuck in Lahore despite the passage of five days. “And now, we are hearing reports that it will take eight to 10 days.”
Maryam said at this pace — when Khan leaves for the march after breakfast and leaves for Lahore for tea in the evening — his caravan would not reach Islamabad after a month.