Imran Khan criticises Opposition for promoting dynasties not merit

Citing the decline of the Mughal Empire in India, Prime Minister Imran Khan took a jibe at the Opposition parties in Pakistan for the country's current state of affairs and blamed them for promoting dynasties and not merit.

Khan, the cricketer-turned-politician who is on his first visit to the US, addressed a gathering of the Pakistani diaspora in Washington on Sunday and told them his regime has taken steps during the past year to hold elected leaders accountable, referring to the ongoing crackdown on top Opposition politicians like former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari.

"What's happening today in Pakistan is Naya Pakistan. Where the powerful are being held accountable," Khan, who was elected as Pakistan's prime minister in August last year, said.

Khan said he is determined to bring a system of merit recognition in the country.

During the speech, he gave the example of the Mughal Empire to highlight his point.

"There is a reason why the Muslim world has been left behind; the Mughal Empire was at its peak and then went into decline because successive dynastic rulers did not have the capability to lead."
"He spends most of his time in hospital," Khan said, adding "This time, he won't go to the hospital ward."