COAS asked me not to call Fazlur Rehman 'diesel': PM

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has asked me not to call Jamait Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman ‘diesel’, Prime Minister Imran Khan revealed in a rally in Lower Dir Friday.

The Prime Minister was addressing a gathering in Lower Dir at Balambat Ground in Timargarathe and revealed that in his meeting with Army Chief he said, (It’s not me (Imran Khan) who calls him diesel, the public has given him that name”.

The premier said that in a recent media talk, Fazl had said when he comes to power, he would "mend an institution". This, the premier said, was a reference to Pakistan Army.

"Today, Pakistan exists because of the army," the prime minister said. "Will these people fix the army?" he questioned.

“Muslim countries including Somalia, Syria and Afghanistan are in crisis, however, Pakistan is saved because we have the most powerful army," he added.

The premier held the opposition leaders responsible for the Pakistani passport losing respect in the world.

Imran Khan stated, since he entered politics 25 years ago, he has focused on just three things—to make Pakistan self-sufficient, a welfare-state and to ensure law and justice prevail in the country.

“These three principals have been a part of PTI’s manifesto and these were adopted from Riasat-e-Madina,” Imran told the charged crowd.

Speaking about the three “stooges” — leaders of PML-N, PPP, JUI-F — who have joined hands against him, Imran said the chiefs of these three parties are among those who have been ruling the county for the last 30-35 years.

“Today the world does not recognise Pakistan’s green passport, it is because of these three mortgaged Pakistan,” he alleged. 

Taking a jibe at PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the PM said that by the time Bilawal leaves politics, new words will be added to the dictionary like “Kaanpein tang rai hain”. 

“When you forcefully try to make a person a leader, this is what happens......kaanpein taangti hain,” he stated.

Earlier in the day, the premier addressed the induction ceremony of J-10C fighter aircraft to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Punjab’s Attock.