LAHORE: Former chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi has endorsed the statement of PTI chief Imran Khan that Maryam Nawaz is the best player in his team because whatever she says increases the support for him.

Speaking to the media persons outside Zaman Park on Sunday, Mr Elahi said Imran`s opponents were afraid of his popularity, which was continuously growingdespite theirtactics.

Owing to the tactics employed by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Mr Elahi said, all the PTI workers had become more enthusiastic.

He said the Umrah pilgrims who had met him in recent days were all praying for Imran`s health, safety and success. `How can anything happen (to Imran) when there are so many people praying for him?` he asked.

Mr Elahi said the federal government did not have enough police to match the PTI workers` strength.

He said all the thieves in Lahore, including caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi, had gone into hiding.