ALLAHABAD: Responding to criticism against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for welcoming tried and tested politicians into its fold, PTI chairman Imran Khan said he will fix whatever is wrong in those leaders.

“I have a washing machine and I’ll put the bad leaders – if there are any – in it and make them clean,” he quipped.

The PTI chairman was speaking at an election rally in Allahabad.

Commenting on the state of minorities in Pakistan, Imran said under his government’s rule, everyone will be equal.

He then went on to address the female participants and told them that he – as their brother – will fight for their rights.

Imran further said that if his party comes to power, education of each and every child will be his responsibility.

KARACHI: The upcoming election is a contest between pro-Taliban and anti-Taliban parties, Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh leader Shahi Syed said on Wednesday.

Syed was addressing a joint press conference along with leaders of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Claiming that the terrorists are dictating the agenda, the ANP leader said the criminal elements want parties sympathetic to terrorists in the National Assembly. He said this will help them implement their nefarious designs for Pakistan easily.

Stressing that the people of Pakistan are against terrorism, Syed requested ulemas to issue decrees against it.

Reiterating the former coalition partners’ resolve to contest elections come what may, the ANP leader said the parties will fight for Pakistan until the death of their last member.

MQM deputy convener Farooq Sattar, while addressing the media, said the three parties have kept their differences aside for a greater purpose.

He further criticised the interim authorities and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for not doing anything to stop the ongoing terror spree.

LAHORE: To empower people at the lowest tier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) will hold local government elections in 90 days after coming into power, PTI chairman Imran Khan announced on Wednesday.

Imran was addressing a press conference in Lahore.

Explaining his strategy for improving the rural life, Imran said he will ask overseas Pakistanis to own one village and sponsor development projects there.

To ensure satisfaction of the sponsors, the PTI chairman said that all the developmental work in the villages will be monitored through satellite cameras.

Explaining his optimism about fixing problems faced by Pakistan, Imran said he has lived abroad and has seen how systems work for the benefit of the people.

He further said that under PTI’s rule, the role of all MNAs and MPAs will be only to make laws and that the system will provide for the people.

MINGORA: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan delivered his own version of US civil rights activist Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech during a large rally in Mingora, Swat, on Sunday.

Addressing a huge crowd, Imran told the locals about his many dreams and how he fulfilled them, adding that four months back, he dreamt of winning the upcoming elections.

“I dreamt about playing for Pakistan at the age of nine and I played for the national team at 18.

I dreamt of becoming world’s best all rounder; in nine years time I became one.

I dreamt of making Pakistan the best cricket team and winning a world cup; it took 10 years and we won in 1992.

I dreamt of establishing a great cancer hospital, it took five years and Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital was created.

I dreamt of a university like Oxford; I set up Namal University. Though, it is just the beginning for the institution.

When I joined politics, I dreamt of Pakistani people rallying with me for a better Pakistan and on October 30, 2011 the ‘tsunami’ took over Pakistan.

Four months back, I dreamt of Pakistanis celebrating in the streets and I realised PTI had swept the general elections.”

Education

Lamenting the sad state of education in the country, Imran said his party will bring one system for both the rich and the poor.

He said he will spend five times more money in education and will invest in the government schools.

Emphasising the need to increase employment opportunities, Imran said his government will promote technical education.

Health

The PTI chairman claimed he has experience in the health sector and he can fix the country’s health system.

He further congratulated the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for the second SKMH being constructed in Peshawar.

Austerity

Repeating the promises he made in the recent Lahore rally, Imran said no MPA or MNA will be given funds in the name of development projects and only local authorities will have access to money allocated for the benefit of the people.

Criticising the lavish lifestyle of the rulers in Pakistan, the PTI chairman said all the “governor houses will be converted into sports grounds and libraries.”

The oppressed

Imran promised to his enthralled audience that he will bring pride to Pakistan during his tenure.

The PTI chairman said he – along with other Pakistanis – will stand by the oppressed, the minorities and the poor.

He added that he will never quit on his people and asked his supporters to do so.

Imran further told the people to prepare for the change as elections are just six weeks away.

KARACHI: Vowing to save Pakistan, former president Pervez Musharraf on Sunday said he will make Pakistan a country its citizens will be proud of.

Musharraf arrived in Karachi from Dubai after four years in self-imposed exile.

A huge crowd of supporters and All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) members welcomed him outside the Karachi airport.

He thanked all his supporters and asked them to help him make Pakistan a better place.

Musharraf intended to hold a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid, however, the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued to his party was cancelled, citing security threats.

He criticised his opponents for sabotaging his gathering.

Expressing grief over the current state of affairs in Pakistan, the former president said he has come back despite threats and predictions against his return.

“I’m here to save Pakistan, I’m not scared of anyone but Allah,” he asserted.

Earlier, while speaking to Express News anchor Shahzaib Khanzada, Musharraf said he has come back to change things for the better.

Karachi

Lamenting the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi, Musharraf said he will bring the city back to life.

He further said that “Karachi is a city for all; for Sindhis, Pathans, Balochis, Bengalis, Punjabis and Muhajirs.”

“We have to make Karachi a place of peace; we should end our petty fights,” he said.

Political activities

Musharraf will stay in Karachi for two days, constituting central and provincial committees for his party and then leave for Islamabad to plan out his election campaign.

He will be residing in Avari Towers, Karachi, during his stay in the city.

Background

Musharraf seized power in a 1999 coup and resigned in 2008 when his allies lost a vote and a new government threatened him with impeachment. He left the country a year later.

The former army general faces the possibility of arrest on charges that he failed to provide adequate security for former prime minister Benazir Bhutto before her assassination in 2007, and in relation to other cases.

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ISLAMABAD: Accusing Sharif brothers of misusing Punjab Police to shut Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf’s (PTI) polling stations in Rawalpindi, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) was threatened by his party as it was promoting true democracy.

He made these remarks while addressing the media in Islamabad on Tuesday.

He added that the Punjab Police could not be blamed alone for the closure as they were just following orders.

The PTI chairman said that his party will seek help from the Election Commission of Pakistan in this regard and the Supreme Court if needed.

He further accused leading parties of making electoral alliances with “terrorists and corrupt leaders,” just for maintaining its hold on power.

He assured his party workers that intra-party elections will be held despite all the hurdles.

Refuting Imran’s claims, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal – on his official Facebook page – said, “What Khan Sahib is not telling that police acted on court order which PTI workers got against rigging in party election.”

“My request to those PTI sympathisers who joined Imran for change that they must realise Imran has PML-N phobia and is being sponsored to divide PML-N votes only,” he said.

Elections in Punjab

PTI Provincial Election Commission finalised arrangements for party elections for Punjab district and tehsils.

Voting was set to start at 9am and continue till 5pm. A senior member of election commission said that those elected at union council level would elect tehsil, town and district officer-bearers.

Sheikhupura, Gujranwala

PTI intra-party elections in Sheikhupura were disrupted when a clash broke out between supporters of two contending PTI leaders.

The participants snatched ballot papers and manhandled the PTI’s election commissioner for the area Zulqarnain Doger.

Similarly, polling was stopped for a while after a clash broke out in Gujranwala.

However, during the polling, supporters of a PTI candidate attacked media persons when they tried to film them displaying weapons publicly. The brawl left few badly injured.

Express News reported that senior leaders were also involved in the fight.

Police were called in to control the situation.

Lahore

A clash broke out in the city’s polling station when one of the contesting leaders tried to take his polling agents inside the station.

The polling started an hour and half late because of the scuffle.

Multan

Polling in the city was postponed for two days after supporters of a candidate protested against incomplete ballot papers.

The supporters met PTI senior leaders, who assured them that new ballot papers will be printed.

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) have agreed to assist each other in the upcoming general elections, PMLN Chief Nawaz Sharif announced on Monday.

Nawaz was speaking during a joint press conference with JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Lahore.

The PML-N chief further revealed that both the parties will constitute two committees which will decide on the collaboration.

Speaking about the all-parties conference (APC) scheduled for February 28, Nawaz said his party will attend the conference.

He said peace is needed for prosperity and that all parties should come together to take Pakistan out of the current crisis.

While speaking about the interim setup, the PML-N chief said that the caretaker government should be based on consensus.

“No one should have reservations on the setup; all parties must be consulted for this,” he said.

Accepting that complete consensus would not be possible, Nawaz said the majority of the stakeholders should be in agreement.

Rehman, while addressing the journalists, thanked Nawaz for meeting him and agreeing to attend the APC.

The JUI-F chief said he is sure that caretaker prime minister nominated by the PML-N will be in favour of the country.

KARACHI: While condemning the government’s inability to provide security to the vulnerable Shia community, Allama Talib Jauhari on Tuesday said demanding rights is not unlawful, not giving them is.

Jauhari was addressing a joint press conference at Karachi Press Club held to express solidarity with the Hazara community which came under attack again on February 16. A bomb attack in a Shia neighbourhood in Quetta left over 80 people dead.

Calling the current government “a sinister democracy,” Jauhari said a democratic state is desirable but the one we have now is not in the favour of the people it claims to represent.

He called on non-governmental organisations to help those affected in the Quetta carnage.

Holding the government responsible for the current mess, Jauhari said the leaders should either accept they are incompetent and resign or solve issues.

Speaking during the press conference, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) deputy convener Farooq Sattar said his party believes the attack on Hazara community is a part of a greater plot against Pakistan.

Calling the recent attack barbaric, Sattar said terrorists have got the “license to kill” is the country’s major cities.

“Terror rules Quetta, Peshawar and Karachi,” he said.

Former judge of the Supreme Court Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed, while speaking to journalists, questioned how come 1000kg explosives – used in Saturday’s Quetta bombing – travelled to the blast site undetected.

Given the recent sectarian violence in Quetta, Ahmed said security in the city should have been very tight.

The former judge also criticised that government for its failure in identifying and punishing the culprits as well as penalising the forces responsible for security.

“I think this is a manageable issue; its collective failure on the part of the government and security authorities,” Ahmed said.

ISLAMABAD: Responding to a claim made by Minhajul Quran International (MQI) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri regarding the imposition of martial law in the country, Interior Minister Rehman Malik asked Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to take notice of the statement.

Malik said the people of Pakistan want to know why he made such a controversial revelation.

Qadri in a press conference on February 3 said that if he had allowed the participants of his January 14 long march a ‘free hand’, the country would have been placed under martial law “within five minutes”.

Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court, Malik advised Qadri to hire a legal advisor who can guide him with regards to his political statements.

“You have lived abroad for too long; you don’t know what to say,” the interior minister said, adding that the MQI chief should make comments that are in favour of the country.

He further said that “whatever Qadri says is always against the law.”

Talks with Taliban

Answering to a question regarding Taliban’s request for political guarantors for peace talks, Malik said Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has refused to be an insurer.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) signalled its willingness to enter peace negotiations on February 4 with the government if three senior politicians – Nawaz, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Jamaat-e-Islami amir Syed Munawar Hasan – would act as guarantors.

The interior minister said he will contact JUI-F chief in this regard.

Malik stressed that bullet is not the answer to the ongoing terrorism problem and that the government will respond to this call for talks in a few days.

LAHORE: The dates for elections and for dissolution of national and provincial assemblies will be announced in next 10 days, declared Minhajul Quran International (MQI) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Sunday.

Qadri was speaking to media after meeting a team of government representatives who had earlier negotiated the terms of Islamabad Long March Declaration with his party Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

Speaking about various issues discussed during the meeting, Qadri said it was decided that 30 days time will be given for scrutiny of election candidates.

He added that only those candidates declared eligible to contest elections will be able to carry out election campaigns.

Rubbishing concerns related to the legal status of his demands, Qadri said the declaration will be given legal cover before assemblies are dissolved.

Explaining the PAT’s role in the caretaker setup, the party chief said government will appoint interim prime minister in consultation with his party.

Clarifying his reservations on current Election Commission of Pakistan, Qadri said his party has no problem with the chief election commissioner, however, he believes the other appointments made in the commission are illegal and hence make the ECP invalid.

Commenting on the issue related to sitting ministers having access to government funds, Qadri expressed fears that this would give certain candidates edge over others who don’t have enough money.

“This is against the concept of level playing field for everyone,” he stressed.

Qadri said he demands these funds should be seized and used for the benefit of the people, adding that the money should be used to subsidise basic necessities.

Government reservations

Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told the media that the government has agreed to all demands put forward by the PAT, but has reservations over two of them.

The party’s demand to dissolve the election commission was against the Constitution as recommended by the seven-member committee of lawmakers set up to analyse the issue, said the minister.

“The law minister held talks with the committee and they have sent in their written recommendations which state that the executive has no authority over it [dissolution of election commission]. The government is bound to follow the Constitution and cannot undo the decision of the committee,” he maintained.

The second reservation was over sitting ministers having access to government funds. Kaira said the election commission comes into action after the election date is announced and can only take preparatory steps before that. “Technically, it is not possible,” said Kaira adding that the government had given the provinces the authority to manage their funds.

“We cannot interfere in the provinces’ affairs.”