Addressing a minority workers convention, Khan said PTI will hold the rally in Karachi “even if there is a war going on”. He said that security will always be a concern in Karachi. “We are going to Karachi to stop politics through hate and intimidation,” he said.
When asked why he had chose December 25 for a rally, he said, “The date is symbolic. It’s Quaid-i-Azam’s birth anniversary.” He said that PTI wanted to build the Pakistan Quaid had envisaged. “If we change the date, the purpose will be lost,” he said.
Khan said that the party would welcome members of other parties. “It’s a political party, not a private club. But [the member’s] reputation will be considered,” he said. Khan said that his party will contest the elections from every constituency and that PTI needs about 1,000 candidates. He also said that PTI can only bring a change once it is voted into power. Answering a question on the blockade of Nato supplies, he said, “It’s like curing a cancer with aspirin.”
“The only way to cure this ‘cancer’ is to get out of this war,” Khan said, adding “I said this seven years ago and those in power are realising it now.” Khan assured the workers that minorities would be given equal rights when PTI comes into power.
Former PPP senator Shafqat Mehmood replaced Omar Cheema as PTI’s central information secretary.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15th, 2011.
COMMENTS (36)
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Imran Khan was a great captain and now he will be a great leader INSHALLAH...........
A change is needed and it is needed sooner then later. People need to wake up and smell the salt. Give Imran Khan a chance and lets see what he can do. I have been in and out Pakistan over the last 10 years and have seen everything going downhill. we need to stand on our own feet and increase our own exports. We can only do this ourselves. Yes it will be hard maybe 10 years maybe more but it will be one step backwards and then 2 step forwards. This will only be achieved done by someone with a good education,knowledge and honesty which sadly is lacking in any of the other leaders of the country. So do the right thing and lets unite with him and look forward to being a proud nation, one which will stand on its own feet. Pakistan Zindabad !!
@Wasim: Good joke , by following the soot steps of PPP and N he will take Pakistan out of slavery , Bravo
I hope imran addresses issues which plague us even when the city is calm; like how he will help Karachi get power and improve traffic. I hope he is different from the current govt; e.g. They make all commuters (100s of thousands daily) suffer by closing roads like the one near sheraton for the convenience of one man, the chief minister. Another example is the take over of the Clifton area near bilawal house. I would love to hear what his action plans are of elected
what is difference in PTI and other parties ? like others you are also giving tickets to landlords and people with huge resources so in elections you putting fight of people with more resources , secondly what the solution you purpose regarding capitalistic system ?because after taking oath (say for prime minister) you will become guardian of capitalism in Pakistan.
Ask Imran Khan whether he will repeal the blasphemy law. Without it, there are no equal rights for minorities.
All the best Imran
GOD SPEED. . . . . Imran Khan!!
Bring it on PTI only party whom can bring change and can put our doomed country back on track :-) Love you IK !!
@ijaz Mir: Really impressed. I won't be there but I am sure that the rally will be honored with your presence!
A sick statement..If we elect these people they will be playing cricket or holding rallies during crises.
Imran khan Zindabad
Thanks Mr Khan! we are most depriveed in Pakistan and like we are less human then to muslims:I feel such treatment to minorities you will not see in west where even all muslims are allowed to practice there relegion as they want. Even english Govt extends intrest free loans to muslims as accordingly muslim law intrest is forbiden. where all other people expect muslim are paying intrests on loans!
Do Salafists allow cricket matches? Or shaving? Perhaps this might just be "your war" my dear Cap'n Khan.
Otherwise, Pakistanis should simply admit that they prefer living under the thumb of obscurantist, medieval, theocratic warlords who won't allow their daughters education. Why hesitate, Pakistan? Embrace your inner Deobandi / Wahhabi tendencies, the world isn't looking to Pakistan to contibute anything else to civilization. After all, you've already enriched the international fraternity with your blasphemy laws, treatment of religious minorities and booming "fertilizer exports". Perhaps Mr Khan could form a coalition govt with the Haqqani boys?
Because of verbal diarrhea like this one, i do not support Imran Khan. He is too idealistic for my liking.
You're given a free hand in Karachi by MQM, now bring the Tsunami
Go for it IK! You are the only one who deserves a chance at being prime minister, and I hope for this country's and democracy's sake that you live up to the high expectations that people have set for you. If anyone can do it, it's you! Good luck and full speed ahead!
such rhetoric! the Kaptaan should learn to do straight talk and avoid statements as these?
Very well said Imran.
Keep it up!
Inshallah, Al-Mighty Allah will help you to take Pakistan out from its messy condition.
We are moving forward and Pakistan is moving forward.
Let's join our hands together to save the remaining Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
One Country, One Nation, One Political Party, PTI.
Let's go and vote for PTI.
Yes , I.K. Has the key of Karachi .
We have a lot of hope resting on the shoulders of Imran Khan. One sincere advise is that he ensures that he keeps the abundant sycophants far away from him. Anyone in his team who cannot speak their mind (in a calm way), should be removed from it.
Hi Imran I am 77 years, I do not go to any Rallies but I am coming to to participate in 25th Of December. to remember some great event of my life. Bless you.
Bring it on, lets see what PTI can do in Karachi
I didn't undertand why the media is creating hype. It's the same PTI which hold anti-NATO rally few months back near PIDC bridge. The overall performance was so so but rallies like PTI are also arranged by Sunni Tehreek, Sipah e Sahaba and small parties....but we didn't see such media hype for them. Secondly, it take 30 years to MQM for organizing and establishing party. Imran's PTI is still in its infancy stage with weak organizational structure. How could he compete with MQM's such strong organizational structure which has the capacity to hold large public gathering within an hour notice. Why media always potray PTI as anti-MQM besides both are struggle against the corrupt political culture of Pakistan. PTI blame MQM for being partner in the corrupt government....my question is what would be the PTI's stance if they got 20+ seats in the parliament of 342??
Such a comment in public domain is a blunder..
mqm ppp scared
Any leader that considers it someone else's war is going to have a very short term in office when the militants get the breathing room they need to prepare and succeed in getting their way. The concept inherently neglects all of the things that hold them off even at the current level.
We are with you and will till the last breath.
why you including the big names ,I mean the people who have occupied major resources of country ? Is the coming election will be power show of more resourceful people ?which will claim the right to govern ?
Best of of luck, let MQM welcomes PTI and recalling time when they didn't allow IK to land in Khi. On your face MQM!
PTI should definitely be allowed to hold its rally in Karachi. I am 100% sure Karachiites want change from targeted killings and sectarian violence and PTI is the party to bring Karachi from misery.
Not a good idea...should be waited for security clearance..!!!
We have tried PPP, MQM, PML a to z, lets give these new guys a chance and stop criticizing them just for the sake of criticism. I used to an MQM supporter but Im going to support PTI this time around!