Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that he has instructed his party workers to “chant slogans of gharri chor (watch stealer) and Toshakhana chor,” whenever they see Imran Khan, Chairman of their rival party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
During an appearance on Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath,” the federal minister said: “He is the biggest thief, the most corrupt. Mei nay apnay workers ko kaha hai yeh [Imran Khan] aap ko jahan bhi nazar aye, gharri chor aur Toshkhana chor ke narey is ke khilaf lagaye jain.” (I have told my workers that whenever they see him [Imran Khan], they should chant ‘watch thief’ and ‘Toshkhana thief’ slogans against him.)
On Thursday, Khan was heckled with gharri chor chants within the vicinity of the civil courts in the provincial capital of Punjab.
The federal minister was of the view that Khan should feel pain when such slogans are raised against him. “He only knows the politics of hate as he calls his opponents thieves and continues his loose talk against them”, said Sanaullah.
He also hinted towards the possibility of negotiations between the government and PTI over the election date. He said both parties could find a middle way.
Moreover, Sanaullah claimed that Imran Khan wants to be the establishment’s ladla (favourite) again, however, he added that the establishment won’t agree to it.
About the long march, the minister said, “Imran Khan has no popularity, it is all propaganda”. He also warned that PTI will face difficulties if they try to enter secure areas.
