Khan dismissed Altaf claims regarding Quaid e Azam

Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has taken strong exception to Altaf Hussain’s statement in a public meeting today in which he has tried to equate his status as a British subject with that of the Quaid e Azam. According to Hussain the Quaid took oath of allegiance to King George when he was sworn in as Governor General.

Imran Khan said that Altaf equating Quaid e Azam’s status with his own situation of being a British citizen today is a distortion of history. The oath taken by Quaid e Azam was determined by the fact that the independence of Pakistan in 1947 was not complete. Both India and Pakistan had attained quasi independence and became dominions of the British Empire. It was for this reason that the Quaid became Governor General and not President. Governor General was nominally a representative of the British monarch and this fact was reflected in the oath that was taken by both the Pakistani GG and Indian Governor General Mr. Mountbatten. By trying to draw a comparison between the situation then and the status of his being a British citizen now is a complete distortion of facts and history.

Imran Khan went on further to say that to hold leadership positions in the government or be a member of parliament, it is incumbent according to the constitution that the person should be solely a citizen of Pakistan. Further, to claim national leadership it is a mockery if vast properties of the leaders are not in Pakistan but abroad. Every time Pakistani currency devalues these leaders become richer. This is a joke with the sufferings of the people of Pakistan.

In conclusion, Khan advised Altaf Hussain not to drag the great Quaid e Azam into tawdry political debate in the country. At the very least he should not distort history to equate his situation with that of the Quaid.