Islamabad : Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid has said the defeat of Zac Goldsmith against Sadiq Khan in London mayor’s election had deflated the balloon of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s so-called popularity abroad.
Zac Goldsmith is the brother of Khan’s former wife Jemima Goldsmith.
“Pakistanis in London by voting for their compatriot Sadiq Khan have not only proven their patriotism but also exposed the hollow claims of Imran Khan’s popularity among the expats,” the Express Tribune quoted Rashid as saying in a statement issued on Saturday.
Rashid said that Zac Goldsmith’s defeat had virtually raised ‘Ro Imran Ro’ slogan even in the United Kingdom’s capital.
“The PTI chief along with his entire family had campaigned for Zac but the people of London have rejected his politics of lies by voting for Sadiq,” he said.
He congratulated Sadiq Khan, the son of a Pakistani bus driver, who became London’s first Muslim mayor on Friday for the coveted post and said that was a source of happiness for all Pakistanis.
“The victory of the son of a labourer is a matter of pride and honour for every labourer and every Pakistani.With Sadiq’s election, the people of London have also rejected the negative propaganda against Pakistan and Pakistanis,” he added.
The Information Minister said that Sadiq Khan through his performance would garner further respect for Pakistan.
“Imran’s attempts to hoodwink the Pakistanis at home and abroad by claiming to visit London to gather proofs regarding the Panama Papers leaks speaks volumes about the contradiction in his claims and deeds,” Rashid said.
He added the people of Pakistan knew that Imran’s priority was his family and not compatriots. (ANI)