— Imran takes a jibe at Opp, wonders why some lawmakers are so ‘keen’ to leave country
–Bilawal says ‘selected PM’ doesn’t understand human rights or freedom of movement
—Sindh CM claims ECL cannot bar him from official trips
Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari indulged in a verbal spar on Twitter after the former wondered why some lawmakers were so “keen to go abroad”.
Imran’s comment came at a time when his government is facing extreme pressure to remove the name of 172 suspects, especially Bilawal and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, from the Exit Control List (ECL).
The “hasty” decision, as Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called it, was taken after a joint investigation team probing the fake accounts case against the PPP leadership, suggested the government to place 172 people on ECL.
The decision was criticised by the opposition parties and the Supreme Court, which had urged the government to review its decision. Moreover, a written order was also issued by the top court, directing removal of Bilawal and Murad from ECL.
Taking a jibe at the opposition for agitating over the issue, Imran tweeted: “Why are some of our lawmakers so scared of the ECL? Why are they so keen to go abroad? There is so much work to be done by politicians in and for Pakistan — the land they claim to love but some cannot wait to take frequent trips abroad and lawmakers have iqamas or residencies abroad.”
Retweeting his earlier tweet, he asked whether anyone could explain “this strange phenomenon to those of us who would be quite happy to remain in and work for Pakistan because we actually love Pakistan”.
Can anyone explain this strange phenomenon to those of us who would be quite happy to remain in and work for Pakistan because we actually love Pakistan. https://t.co/9mYZG4qHhl
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 17, 2019
The tweet didn’t go down well with PPP chief and MNA Bilawal, who schooled the PM on the concept of human rights and freedom of movement.
Calling Imran Khan a “selected PM”– an allegation which the PTI chairman has faced frequently– Bilawal also called out Imran for making seven foreign trips in spite of his promise to stay in the country for the first six months of his government.
“Obviously selected PM doesn’t understand the concept of human rights or freedom of movement. Funny it’s only the opposition members on ECL, government members are busy travelling. Including PM who despite promising not to travel for 1st 6months has made more than 7 trips so far!” he tweeted.
Obviously selected PM doesn’t understand the concept of human rights or freedom of movement. Funny it’s only the opposition members on ECL, government members are busy travelling. Including PM who despite promising not to travel for 1st 6months has made more than 7 trips so far! https://t.co/uGfCfzyAyA
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 17, 2019
The PPP chairman also criticised the premier on the floor of the National Assembly. He said the PM doesn’t have the “courage to speak to us face-to-face in parliament”.
