‘You're blackmailing me in front of everyone’, PM tells Pervez Khattak

Islamabad: Privy sources quoted that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan replied to Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, “You are blackmailing me in front of everyone.”

According to sources, PM Imran Khan, while giving a strong reply to Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, said, “You are blackmailing me in front of everyone. I cannot be blackmailed. Pervez Khattak, you cannot blackmail me also.”

“Neither I am collecting money to build my property nor calling you every day and asking for votes. I am asking the IMF every day to reduce taxes, I have neither factories nor my business. Yes, if you keep your blackmailing then invite the opposition to come and take responsibility of the government,” the premier further said. 

According to the sources, Pervez Khattak has criticised PM Imran Khan during the parliamentary party meeting before a key vote on the mini-budget. The harsh words exchanged from the issue of the gas shortage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The sources said that Khattak first exchanged words with Energy Minister Hammad Azhar and walked out of the meeting in protest.

The premier sent Ali Zaidi and Murad Saeed to bring Khattak back, but after coming back Pervez Khattak exchanged words with Imran Khan. He also said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province produced electricity and gas but was still facing a shortage. “It is us who got you elected as prime minister,” he reportedly told Imran Khan.

Pervez Khattak said he and other leaders like him had to face voters and if the technocrats did not change their behaviour, people would not vote for the PTI.