Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday shifted focus from the Pakistan-based opposition leadership of Shehbaz Sharif, Asif Zardari and Fazlur Rehman, turning his guns at former prime minister and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif stating that Nawaz would target the army and judiciary upon his return from London.

"The election commission (ECP) is already under his [Nawaz] control. He will bribe journalists as he is the one who started the lifafa culture in journalism when he first became chief minister," he said while addressing supporters in Kamalia area of Toba Tek District of Punjab.

"After that, he will attack the judiciary because no corrupt person can tolerate a free judiciary," said Imran and then cited the incident dating back to 1997, during Nawaz's tenure, when PML-N supporters stormed the Supreme Court as it was holding contempt proceedings against the incumbent.

"He gave briefcases [full of money] to judges to bribe them... He gave LDA (Lahore Development Authority) plots to judges," continued the premier while accusing him of using coercion and bribe to get parliamentarians to support him.

"Now, he will attack the judiciary. He is already sowing discord in the Supreme Court by getting judges to side with him. He will never allow an independent judiciary because he wants to get his [corruption] cases cleared," he continued.

"His next attack would be on the Pakistan army. So far, he has had disagreements with all the army chiefs [that have served with him]," he said, adding that this was despite him making on the decision on who the army chief will be.

"The reason for his issues with the army chief is that he has access to agencies who are the first to find out about his corruption. He wants to control the army. Other institutions he has already brought under his control but he is afraid of the army. Then, all his effort is spent on brining the army under his control," Imran Khan said.

He also accused Nawaz of holding discreet meetings with Indian PM Narendra Modi during his last tenure, citing a book by Indian journalist. "She writes that the meetings were held in secret because he is afraid of the army."

Grateful to the oppostion

PM Imran also expressed "gratitude" to the opposition parties for introducing the no-confidence motion against him, saying that it had reinvigorated the party and added to its popularity.

“Our estranged party workers have returned to [PTI] after seeing their [opposition leaders] real faces… nations fall when they stop differentiating between good and evil,” the premier continued.

He said the opposition is trying to topple his government to get rid of the corruption cases against them. "Even if I lose my life, I will not pardon your (opposition) corruption cases," he reiterated.

He said political leaders with offshore assets cannot pursue independent foreign policy because they fear losing their wealth.

“I don’t want to strain country’s relations with any other country but there is a difference between compromise and maintaining good relationships,” he remarked.

He said when a nation cannot distinguish between good and evil, it dies.

"God has commanded that we stand with good and against evil. When you see good and evil in society, God has commanded that you do not remain neutral."

Criticizing the opposition, he said they were "buying the conscience" of members of the National Assembly for Rs250-300 million.

"Through looted money, the country's biggest thugs want to oust a sitting government," PM Imran said, urging people to come out on March 27 in great numbers to give a message to the opposition that their "corrupt politics is over."

Talking about his government's performance, he said Pakistan's exports and tax collection have risen considerably during the last three years.

Historic day

Talking about the Islamabad public rally on March 27 (Sunday), the premier remarked it would be a "historic day" in the country's history.

"The biggest ever sea of people will converge in the capital to give the message to these criminals (opposition) that their days of looting and plundering are over."

Languge

During the course of his speech, the premier used disparaging language for his political rivals, including referring to the three opposition leaders alternatively as rats and the three stooges He also referred to PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif as "cherry blossom" to suggest that he curries favour and ingratiates himself by polishing the boots who hold the reins of power.