Pakistan: Imra Khan scandalizes by calling bin Laden "martyr"

Imran Khan, Pakistani Prime Minister. TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP

Text by: Sonia Ghezali

In Pakistan, reactions are multiplying after remarks made Thursday by the Prime Minister. In an address to the National Assembly, Imran Khan said that former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, killed on May 2, 2011 in Abbotabbad, Pakistan by US special forces, died as a "martyr". These words provoked outrage from the opposition and human rights defenders.

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With our correspondent in Islamabad,

Imran Khan is standing in the hemicycle and speaks on the relationship between his country and the United States: "  We were with the United States in the war on terror, but they came here and killed him , they made him a martyr  . "

These remarks are at the origin of the controversy which shakes Pakistan since Thursday.
Several political opponents have expressed their indignation, such as the opposition leader of the Assembly, Khawaja Asif. Today they declared that Osama bin Laden was a martyr! [Laughs] This man brought terrorism to our lands. He destroyed our country and you declared him a martyr!  "

By saying these words, Imran Khan has become a national security threat ," said the spokesperson for the PPP, another opposition party. If Osama bin Laden is a martyr, what are the civilians and members of our security forces who lost their lives as martyrs in attacks perpetrated by al-Qaeda , he asks. ”

Remember that Osama bin Laden may be a hero for the Prime Minister, but he will never be that of our nation,  " said a senator. He will remain a criminal in the eyes of the state and the people,  " added Sherry Rehman.

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  • Pakistan
  • Osama bin Laden