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LAHORE: Politicians belonging to the ruling and opposition parties have strongly condemned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief's statement regarding the people of Pakistan people welcoming a military takeover.
Comparing the coup attempt in Turkey with the situation in Pakistan, Imran Khan on Sunday had said people of Pakistan will celebrate and distribute sweets if the army takes over the country.
"Democracy in Pakistan is threatened by Nawaz's monarchy and the people will celebrate and distribute sweets if the army takes over," Imran had said while addressing a public rally in Azad Kashmir.
"Imran Khan is the 12th man of Pakistani politics. Awaiting a mishap to happen, so that he is asked to play. Otherwise he sits on the sidelines and sulks," Defence Minister Khawaja Asif tweeted, minutes after Imran's speech.
Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal termed the PTI chief's statement "a symbol of his political bankruptcy". Iqbal added that the statement is tantamount to inciting the army for a rebellion.
The prime minister's daughter, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, lambasted Imran Khan by calling him "one of the biggest political sellouts of recent times", adding that he is caged in a mindset which even the general public has broken free from.
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Faisal Karim Kundi said it was an immature statement and the PTI chief should apologise to the nation.
Talking to APP, Kundi said democracy had returned to the country after enormous sacrifices rendered by democratic forces and his party will resist any move to derail the process.
Related: PTI's Naeemul Haque calls coup attempt a warning for Erdogan
Application for FIR
A lesser know political party, Pakistan Justice Party (PJP) has reportedly filed an application in Lahore's Anarkali police station, and has requested the police to register a case against Imran Khan over his 'unconstitutional' statement.
The application requests the police to register a case under Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy), Section 124 A (sedition) against Imran Khan as his statement calls for toppling a democratically elected government.
Police sources, however, denied receiving such an application from PJP.
