Imran Khan Blames Pak's Ex Army Chief For Nawaz Sharif's Ouster

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday blamed former Army chief, Gen (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa, for getting PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif disqualified in the Panama Papers case, the Dawn reported.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan claimed that General Bajwa had "sent two brigadiers", who proved Nawaz Sharif was involved in the Panama case, Dawn cited Bol News interview.

"He (Bajwa) had sent two brigadiers who proved Nawaz was involved in the Panama case," Dawn cited Bol News interview quoting Imran Khan.

"This is why Nawaz is not forgiving Bajwa," Khan added.

Khan said Pakistan's former army chief and all the agencies were telling the media and his government members about how corrupt the leaders of the Pakistan Democratic Movement were. He further said these people "imposed those same people on us".

In response to a question why Nawaz Sharif was permitted to leave the country, Khan said the former Pakistan PM's medical reports were manipulated, the Dawn reported.

To a question on local government elections in Karachi, the former PM spoke about the 'tactics' used by Pakistan People's Party to 'steal the polls' by collaborating with the local police, administration and the election commission.

The PTI chairman stressed educated, business-minded people residing in Karachi can never "vote for PPP."

Speaking on the Toshakhana case against him, the former Pakistan PM said the government and "handlers" made a big deal of the matter for no reason.

Khan on Saturday claimed that General Qamar Javed Bajwa's behaviour changed after being granted an extension as the military's head in 2019, The News International reported.

Khan said, "General Bajwa changed after the extension and compromised with the Sharif. He decided, at that time, to give them the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO)", The News International reported citing an interview with a private channel.

The PTI chairman also claimed that General (retd) Bajwa hired Hussain Haqqani as the then ambassador of Pakistan to the United States to topple his government. He added that Haqqani joined the office through the Foreign Office, without their knowledge.

Imran Khan claimed that the former diplomat started lobbying against him in the US and promoted General (retd) Bajwa, according to The News International.

Imran Khan was ousted through a no-confidence vote in April last year.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)