'Biggest Liar On Earth': Shehbaz Sharif Blames Imran Khan For Ruining Pakistan's Economy

Sharif has accused Khan of conducting the country's affairs to suit his own personal agenda in a manner that can be described as the most self-centred, politician in the history of this country

New Delhi:  Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again hit out at his predecessor Imran Khan and called him the "biggest liar on the face of the earth who has injected poison into society to dangerously polarise the electorate" after being toppled from power in April. Sharif accused the former PM of ruining the country's economy in an interview with The Guardian newspaper, reported news agency PTI.  Sharif highlighted the damage that Khan did to the country in both domestic and foreign affairs when he ruled the nation from 2018 to April this year.

The 71-year-old leader called Khan "a liar" and "a cheat" whose policies had left the economy in ruins.

Sharif accused Khan of conducting the country's affairs in a manner to suit his personal agenda "that can be only described as the most inexperienced, self-centred, egotistical, immature politician in the history of this country," reported the news agency quoting The Guardian interview. 

The issue worsened last week after audio recordings of private informal conversations, held by Khan in his office when he was prime minister, were leaked onto the internet. In the audio leaks, Khan was allegedly heard discussing the controversial US cypher and how to exploit it to portray his ouster as a conspiracy.

Citing the leaked audio clips as an irrefutable endorsement that he (Khan) is the biggest liar on the face of the earth. “I'm not saying this with a sense of glee but a sense of embarrassment and concern. My country's image has been damaged hugely by these lies told out of mean personal interest.”

The PM also acknowledged the challenges ruling Pakistan while Khan was mobilising on the streets, the newspaper wrote.

"Never before was I concerned about our country's future," said Sharif. "Imran Khan has injected an infinite amount of poison in this society and made it hugely polarised as never before he is distorting facts and creating hate," he added. 

Pakistan's Cabinet has approved a legal inquiry into the audio leaks. Sharif said Khan has to be held accountable for all these conscious criminal acts.

Sharif Accused Khan Of Damaging Relations With The US, China

Khan has damaged Pakistan's relations with the United States for no rhyme or reason, said Sharif. Sharif's administration is working towards mending ties with the US. Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto, returned from a US trip this week and Qamar Javed Bajwa, the army chief, is currently in Washington.

Sharif also made it clear that he would be reaffirming Pakistan's close relationship with China, which reportedly suffered under Khan after he stalled on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project that is a cornerstone of China's belt and road initiative (BRI).

The floods have left a third of the country submerged under water and caused estimated damage of nearly $30 billion.

Pakistan is grappling with an unprecedented economic crisis triggered by mounting inflation, sky-high foreign debt, and declining foreign currency reserves. Pakistan has also been impacted by unprecedented floods that have killed more than 1,600 and displaced more than 33 million others in Pakistan.