Several leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), led by former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, are spreading an old video clip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticising the Pakistan government. PTI leaders shared the video in order to criticise Pakistan's incumbent Shehbaz Sharif government. However, PM Modi's remarks were made while Imran Khan was in power.
PM Modi can be heard speaking in the viral video while speaking at a rally for the 2019 general election in Barmer, Rajasthan. In the video, PM Modi states, "we destroyed Pakistan's arrogance, pushing them to tour the globe begging".
The video was shared on Twitter by various PTI leaders, including Azam Khan Swati, a former Pakistan minister and prominent leader of Imran Khan's party. He stated the Pakistani government should be ashamed and urged for a regime change in a tweet accompanying the video. Many people in the comments section also criticised the Pakistan Army, claiming that it had led the country astray.
Journalist Naila Inayat was one of many to point out the absurdity of PTI supporters sharing the video. "The funniest part, PTI sharing this to tell the current govt, look what Modi is saying about you. While the clip is from April 2019 when Imran Khan was in government," she tweeted.
This comes at a time when Pakistan is experiencing its greatest economic crisis in decades. Imran Khan has stated that "crooks led by Shehbaz Sharif" have devastated the country's economy and are now pleading for help from the rest of the globe.
The PTI chairman also discussed India's and Bangladesh's progress in relation to Pakistan.
"Take the IT sector as an example— India's IT exports were USD 1 billion in 2000 and have now surpassed USD 140 billion. And look at where we are now. The two families, the Sharifs and the Zardaris ruled for 35 years but never paid attention to exports," Imran Khan stated.
"These crooks, led by Shehbaz, have ruined the country's economy and are now begging for help from the rest of the world," he added.
Previously, PTI leader Imran Khan lauded Prime Minister Modi while condemning former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his involvement in corruption. "Except for Nawaz, no other world leader has properties worth billions of dollars. Tell me about a country whose Premier or leader has assets worth billions of dollars outside of the country. How many properties does PM Modi own outside of India, even in our neighbouring country?" he stated this during a public meeting in September.
Pakistan is in talks with the International Monetary Fund and has called out to friendly nations for assistance as it deals with a massive economic crisis and rapidly diminishing foreign exchange reserves.
Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif has stated that it is a shame that a nuclear-armed country must beg. He went on to say that soliciting foreign loans was not the best way to address Pakistan's economic problems because the loans would have to be repaid.
The neighbouring country is on the edge of economic catastrophe, as its foreign reserves are rapidly diminishing. Pakistan is now in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and has approached friendly nations for financial aid.
(With Inputs From Agencies)