Imran maintained that no change can come in Pakistan unless free and fair elections take place. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan demanded President Asif Ali Zardari’s immediate resignation while announcing his seven-point agenda to the media on Tuesday.
“Free and fair elections cannot take place till Zardari is here. He is the reason for Pakistan’s destruction,” said Imran, adding that the president appointed three prime ministers in his tenure and all three were corrupt.
“They are usurping money through corruption and are using that money to buy the elections,” he asserted. He also alleged that the president is working against the Constitution.
Other demands of the party included an immediate announcement of date for general elections and a neutral caretaker setup which is free of “muk muka“.
Imran maintained that no change can come in Pakistan unless free and fair elections take place and a government comes through the public mandate.
The party also demanded the the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) take notice of pre-poll rigging being done by many parties on the expense of the public exchequer. “We have complained to the election commission about how the Punjab government and the central government are carrying out pre-poll rigging… by distributing laptops and through the Benazir Income Support Programme.”
Citing news reports regarding public funds which were used for election campaigning, Imran lamented that the election commission has not replied to any of his party’s complaints. He expressed distrust on election commission officials, but expressed confidence over the chief election commissioner’s credibility.
The party chairman also called for implementation of Supreme Court’s recent order of arresting Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in the Rental Power Plants case. “We will come out on the roads if orders are not implemented.”
The terrorists involved in the killings of the Hazara community in Quetta should also be brought to justice, he demanded.
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Veena does not want to become prime minister!
I fully support IK’s demands.
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The Tiger roars finally!!
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Way to go ……….!
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these are democratic and practical demand. so govt should listen to it. while tuq’s demand are impractical.
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Yes, and having the Army deployed at polling stations is going to insure free and fair elections right?
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“no change can come in Pakistan unless free and fair elections take place and a government comes through the public mandate”
Bravo!!
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cat is out of bag
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PTI rocks because our chairman does not go for short cuts! We will defeat all parties via vote!
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Imran Khan Sir, please arrange dharna (peaceful protest) outside Bilal Chawk….
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sensible ..
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Constitutional Decision… you know poltics now IK…Bravo…waiting for your call…
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In the flurry to get what they want, no one has pointed out that SC’s order is unconstitutional and illegal to boot! Art. 248 gives protection to Pres, pM, CM, Ministers. And yes, system is corrupt but then Army and Judiciary are part of this system too – how many ex-army officers and judges have been arrested? India also has elected representatives, corruption, racism, some do good work, some bad, some none at all. But India hasn’t given Army or RAW or Judiciary or even regional powers to come and have a say in electoral politics. Only in Pakistan!
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good going IK..we support you…
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U Turn Master. Keep out of this. You are going to make a U Turn Soon.
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His points make more sense than Dr. Qardi.
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Well said Imran Khan. Salams for 2013.
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn……………………….Alvin TofflerRecommend
Justice for Hazara is also one of his 7 demands. Well done
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ur wisdom i must appreciate IK :D
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This is the final piece of the puzzle. SC, Qadri, PTI, Army against the people of Pakistan.
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The party chairman also called for implementation of Supreme Court’s recent order of arresting Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in the Rental Power Plants case. “We will come out on the roads if orders are not implemented.”
Didn’t the Holy Father IK utter something along the same lines when Gillani was being shown the door. He took a U-Turn and came out with yet another lala landish edict that Gillani would continue to remain PM until the process of appeal is exhausted!
Wake up people and see for yourself that the upper deck of your leader is not only empty but also devoured by cobweb.
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Before you start drawing comparison b/w PTI’s demands with TUQ’s just remember. Imran Khan struggled for his demands for 16 years where as TUQ is been in Pakistan far from even 16 weeks
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Mr Khan proves to be more mature than the tried and tested! Next PM Imran Khan!
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@PakPower:
Was sleeping before???
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The Tiger is all set or the kill now!
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Aa gai ustadood ka ustad !!!!!
Thx for the right demand at right time Khan Sahab.
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How are laptops and BISP “rigging”? This word is used much too freely and has lost all meaning. Also the term “pre-poll rigging” which I think is a wholy Pakistani invention which frankly I don’t understand very much. I can understand “pre-poll rigging” if the lists are tampered with preventing people from voting etc. but this is not the case here.
People getting laptops and BISP benefits are free to vote for whom ever they please. So this does not qualify as “rigging” in any way.
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@ Adnan Saddiqui … I am looking for some recommendation on your comment … funny isn’t it ?
I can give 1001 reason to defy (challenge) your statement …
Be optimistic … That’s the only way out !!
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My husband is so angry…over dec he was using a special tonic and some hair was starting to grow on his bald head, but after watching TUQ march and now IK statement, both of whom have left Nawaz looking like a lost lamb, all hair that grew has fallen out. Can any one please recommend a good treatment to keep a bald headed man cool? Otherwise I am afraid he will pop a vien!
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Zardari should uphold the constitution. PM is not convicted and can stay in power but ethically he should resign and a new PM be elected. Democracy and constitution should prevail.
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@Kaizen:
Please illuminate on the antecedents of a “Struggle.” Since I along with a lot of other erudite people weren’t born yesterday, IK wanted to make it big in 1997 with the help of establishment and Hameed Gul but ended up loosing every seat he contested on (even against the likes of Tariq Aziz from Lahore). Between 1997 and 1999, he was busy parading his fair skinned trophy wife around, hosting the likes of Lady Di and wining and dining with the most opulent and the most elitist people in the country.
Between 1999 and 2007, all he did was to support Mushie or play into the hands of the establishment intermittently while being a useless member of parliament who did nothing except for earning a salary at the expense of tax payer.
I couldn’t find anything remotely resembling a “Struggle” unless leaving his sister to deal with the cops, running from his Zaman Park house and spending a night in D.I. Khan jail can be categorized as Nelson Madalesque :D
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Rocket-B gonna’s launch soon by THEM!
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PTI zindabad
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noorihuda half information is always dangerous that amunity clause applies when that event occur while the person is PM
but raja rental case was started back in 2009 when he was not a pm so no amunity
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Imran Khan handled the TUQ factor pretty shabbily and has lost some points.His Party has been erratic and a bit lost, apparently, which is a minus. His belated reaction smells of La MQM and Shiekh Rashid which is bad news.
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In the end all these dharna supporters IK, Qadri whoever are going to be biggest losers.Recommend
Khan we are with you. It is time to call and we go in Tsunami march to change this system of corruption and loot. Free and fair elections are not possible in this set up. Recommend
Imran said: “No change can come in Pakistan unless free and fair elections take place and a government comes through the public mandate.” He is the true leader, never goes for shortcuts.Recommend
@Truth detector:
strongly support to Mr.Khan the sign of justice and victory,dont delay further jumped in time has come.
we need junoon and iishq no more aqal reqd to decide now .it is open secret and truth the time has come for positve change for pakistan.
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PTI all the way in the coming elections !!
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Long live Captain. We are behind you!!!
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waiting for call… !!!!
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Laughting at demands i do not think there wil be any eleaction in pakistan it seems arm wil take ovr realy pakistan is in critical poistion and these demands will take it to wroseRecommend
why this sudden demand for Zardari’s resignation? and interesting how the demand for the killers of the Hazara is tacked on to the end as a ‘by the way’ remark
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Its time to get rid of these two corrupt parties from Pak. Lets make our country better and we have to vote now to PTI at least.
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March 16th has already been announced.
Fakhurudin G Ibrahim is neutral and agreed upon by parliament, even PTI has not objected to his appointment before.
Agreed. Qadri should also listen to reason.
Absurd. On the one hand he wants to go as per constitution on the other demands violation.
Requires approval from the Parliament. And if undertaken will lead to delay in election.
Political demand, make sense from the perspective of PTI
Fair enough, but needs to name the real culprits too.
I am sorry to say these are not very well thought through demands and has sealed the fact–
ineptitude of IK.
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Waiting for the call
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@Adnan Siddiqi: You said all IK did from 1999 to 2007 was to support Musharraf. That is a bold face lie and renders everything else you say irrelevant. While others were either in Jeddah or London, Imran Khan was in Pakistan openly criticizing Musharraf.
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@Rabia: You’ll apparently manufacture things to criticize. Imran Khan was the only politician who protested the day Zardari became President back in 2008, and has been calling for his resignation since then. Please don’t propagate falsehood.
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@aley: Please enlighten us with what would have been ‘well thought through’ demands.
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well done PTI
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Where to Go! People pls Don’t forget the Hazara Shias!
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@Z:
Awwwww…..what a poignant and sombre retort you posted in response to my contribution! My dear friend, how would you explain the labour of love between Musharraf and IK which was gifted to the latter and now lives like a king at the Goldsmith Annexe in Banigala….a hint, “Sheroo.” ;)
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Imran Khan bring your party on the street to show your strenght. I doubt you have much support left.
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I used to be a big supporter of pti but backed out when pti was not using its strenght to bring lahore to its halt with its demand for reforms or arrest of corrupt officials. I again request pti now is the chance to demand resignation of zardari and dissolution of parliament. You need to come out to the streets and surround the parliament like Qadri.
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@hameed lahori:
Right on brother! The Zakat Collecting Party is now claiming that the people congregating at the sit-in being presided by a Canadian Rabbi are actually voters and supporters of PTI….Buhahahahahahahahahaha! I wouldn’t even bat an eyelid if PTI would go on to claim that the Arab Spring in Tunisia and Egypt was also instigated by The Holy Father Hazrat Mufti Imran-ul-Qadri himself :D
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‘U ‘ turn , why ?
Is tiger now trying to snatch the pray from the mouth of Canadian Jaguar entered in the jungal (Pak) ,?
IK will alone enter in Islamabad as his jehadee supporters now can’i dare to go there .
Revolution is well under control of Qadry ,…..so is the govt, and army . Only IK and CJ is far away from him . SOON THEY WILL BE ALSO IN HIS GRIP .Recommend
People of Pakistan I beg you to vote for Imran Khan. The only credible option for the future of the nation.
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@exptisupporter:
It would serve you better to remain an ex-PTI supporter because there are more chances of Tahir-ul-Qadri admitting to be the Vatican representative for Pakistan than to expect Pope Imran Khan Benedict to bring his trolls….sorry supporters out on the roads and surround the parliament.
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Breaking news. Mian sahib also released a 7 point agenda.
Bakeries to be open Sunday afternoon
Prices of Keema naans to be reduced
IK stop challenging for live debate – all little kids are teasing Mian sahib at home
All Sharif family be made exempt from paying any tax
Army allow mian sahib to make more nuclear boom-booms
Go Zardari Go (this demand can be dropped after 3 days, like it was last time)
Free Hair transplants for all my supporters
@Adnan Siddiqui – You hit the jackpot there with no 7 brah…..muhahahahaha :D
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Imran missed the bus, because he was not driving it. It is now proven there is only one public power, and Imran is not that power. He may be important in the eyes of the West, and the Westernized people, but not common Pakistanies.
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Mr. Qadri has stolen your thunder IK!
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Imran Khan presented his 7-point agenda at the time when Dr. Qadari is having long march against government and the apex court of the country has issued orders of arrest of Prime Minister. It seems that the undemocratic forces have once again joined hands together against democracy. Let the government complete it’s tenure because after only 2 months the current assemblies will complete their constitutional tenure.Demand of resignation of Mr Zardari is nothing than a political ignorance of PTI because he is the elected president of the country.
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Nice try but you are being replaced by selection committee with qadti sb.
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@Imran: what uturns are you talking about?
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IK please save us from these politicians they are portraying a wrong image of Pakistan
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History will document how Imran, who is sincere but sorely lacks political acumen, lost his way. He was lured into gathering “electable candidates” by his critics and political commentators, thereby losing his only strength: new and clean faces. These electables have not only marginalized the old ideologues within the PTI but have also led Imran into one political quagmire after another. These people joined PTI because they believed it will lead them to the corridors of power. They do not share PTI’s ideology and are impatient to fulfill their personal ambitions. Unfortunately for Pakistan, it seems Imran and PTI are destined for political oblivion. If Imran wanted Zardari to resign before elections, he had enough momentum behind him to launch a campaign on his own. Now, he only looks a fool trying to cling to Qadri’s (the puppet) coattails! He has also managed to put PTI in the same league with of Qadri (who by the way is backed by the likes of MQM and Q-league). How unfortunate for the people of Pakistan who had great hopes for PTI.
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One this is common in both IK and Qadari sahib and that is: Both are confused. Way back both could secure only one seat each in the national assembly. This time if both join hands in the coming election they can secure maximum five seats. Break down: 1 for IK, 1 for Jawed hashami, 1 for Quraishi and one for Tareen. The other one only for Moulana Tahir ul Qadari. Thus the total comes to five.
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Why demand resignation and not dismissal! The SC is in his generous mood and distributing “Arrest Orders”.in 2013.
Rex Minor
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Imran Khan…a person of actions,not only words.(Y)
I just pray he stays safe after what he has demanded and makes his way to success IA.
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IK is part of undemocratic game along with CJ, and establishment ..
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Tsunami khan was , is and will always remain an immature puppet.
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You term TuQ’s demands impractical yet you endorse the demands IK made .. Upon closer examination they are 90% same. Icing on the cake is that IK supports TuQ’s demands fully. He just has issues with strategy.
People… dont follow figures .. follow agendas and manifestos.I was an ardent supporter of PTI .. i still am .. but as a patriot my heart beats for what TuQ is doing. May God grant him success. Oh God already did. Thats what you get following the idealistic pathway.
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Imran Khan should join Nawaz Sharif as most of the PPP supporters are with Quadri . Only two parties should be there for an Ideal democracy in pakistan .
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GO GO zardari GO GO
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Well said and well done Imran Khan!
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PTI has acted very maturely in the current political situation; and this is what we expect form a true democratic political party. Congratulations to Pakistani nation, we have a new democratic party that is capable of leading the country.
The party put forward its adequate demands in a timely mannar. Instead of jumping into the current chaotic situation like an opportunist, the party opted for right decisions to save democracy and avoid any kind of anarchy in the country. Now it is up to the government to act wisely and announce election dates and a caretaker setup that should be genuinely neutral with census of all political parties within and outside assembly.
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We 20, today decided to do anything to make our families vote against you. We were at a hotel on a cup of tea and pledged to break your weak electoral base. Lets see how you help Qadri Sb to finish off the greatest tragedy of seemingly failing nation’s test. Do it or we will make you dream to rule this orphan nation.
I thought you can be our hope, I saw a Socrates’ bestowing on you stating ‘I was too true to be a politician or live’.
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