“The biggest power of democracy is the opposition. We will show this country what a strong opposition is like,” says Imran Khan. PHOTO: FILE
“The white-paper will inform the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of the tactics used for rigging these polls so that the practice can be checked in future,” said Imran, who is recovering from back and head injuries after he fell off a fork-lift at a PTI public meeting in Lahore on May 7.
On his hospital bed, Imran’s spirits were high as he sought an angle of optimism in PTI’s defeat: “The biggest power of democracy is the opposition. We will show this country what a strong opposition is like.”
With the PTI emerging as one of the top parties, and having won majority seats in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Imran said, “We will turn the government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa into a model government.”
“The gloom of defeat has not affected me as I have witnessed the unprecedented zeal and fervour of the youth and women in this country.”
The ‘core’ reason
The extra hour for polling allowed by the ECP is the core reason of PTI’s defeat, said PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Discussions regarding allegations of rigging will take place at the party-level, after which the party will make a complaint to the poll body, he said.
As lack of timely arrangements had delayed the polling process at several polling stations in the country, the ECP had extended the countrywide polling deadline by an hour. Polling stations in seven Karachi constituencies were given an extension of three hours.
Qureshi’s stance towards PTI’s defeat was similar to Imran’s. He said PTI accepts the people’s mandate and will sit in the opposition. “We will be the toughest and most disciplined opposition in the history of this country – and not a friendly one like PML-N.”
About the independent candidates, Qureshi said PTI is an ideal party for them as it has proved to be the icon of change through its policies and ideology. “Independent candidates should not opt for power, luxuries and nepotism.”
Furthermore, the PTI leader appreciated Jamshed Dasti, saying that he broke the status quo dominated by feudal lords in Muzaffargarh by securing two National Assembly seats.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2013.
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Quit politics and play cricket.
If PTI played a positive rule of real opposition then it will help PTI for future success also
The awkward moment when you wish that you resided in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Instead of inciting people to violence the PTI should concede its defeat. IK should take the full responsibility of the failure and according to the democratic norms should voluntarily resign from the chairmanship of the party.
Best of luck to you! :) Hope all your plans materialize soon! Best wishes and prayers for you.
@Observer.......Three,Peshawar,Mianwali & Rawalpindi .He lost Lahore.
You have won our hearts, that is what matters. We are with you, all the way. Insha Allah
If you want people to follow you, act like a leader, even when in defeat. Congratulate PML N and nawaz on their mandate.
You will have your turn next time, if you are able to show that you could be a constructive opposition leader, putting aside personal feelings, and place Pakistan first.
Best wishes to PTI for making a difference.
I believe Imran Khan had contested 4 NA seats.
Can someone please tell me , How many has he won?
It is a game of politics...........one should not be disappointed.Those who have won by rigging will meet their Waterloo sooner than one perceives!!
@Aysha: Not only Punjab but also Sindh..... I don
t know what people did in these provinces. Maybe they are happy with old faces and old vision which has no vision and which will lead us no where.. But dont lose up we need to fight the system and it's not easy but not impossible either... Change has arrived even though rigging and threatening PTI is second best in votes.... Proud of Insafians love u guyz...Look forward to delivery on promises and commitments
Thank you for re-defining the word 'Hopeful' for us. We love and thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Can't wait for your victory in 2018 inshAllah.
There is nothing wrong in sitting in Opposition. PTI has many problems and their reach out to Rural regions is almost non existent and i dont see any supporter of PTI in my village as PTI neglected the Rural Voter base totally. Even the Lahore suburban regions were neglected by PTI. In future If PTI wants to win then they have to reach out to the village and Tehsil level and only through mass outreach and some Public manners especially on Social platforms PTI can improve and disseminate its message to the masses.
Good decision
It seems that Facebook fans of PTI didn't vote for Imran khan. Youth hasn't vote for change unfortunately. Tsunami couldn't get hold of Punjab voters.
Deeply disappointed by the voters of Punjab, they made the whole country lose the opportunity to have a government in place which didnt have a history tainted by corruption. People in the other parts of the country expected more political sense from the people of Punjab
Wake up and smell the coffee Imran. You and the Pakistani people have been robbed of our rightful mandate. There has been unprecedented rigging in most parts of Punjab, in Karachi. All those constituencies where PTI had won or winning, the results were stopped, delayed and then rigged overnight while the others where we lost , the decisions came out straightaway. Do you even know that as per ECP, you secured 92 notes from NA-122 against Ayaz Saddiq? We want to be on roads and streets fighting for our rights in your leadership.We want to make our own Tehrir Sqaure.Give us that call please.
That's my Leader... Even in video message he smiles like winning the election... Your time will come Imran Khan Inshaa ALLAH
We will do this , We will do that , This is how things should be , That is not how things should be ....
So easy to use the words , totally different story when one has to perform.
Either PTI has a crystal ball in which they have seen the future or they are over excited and over optimistic.
Power is a responsibility and a demanding service job. It is not the field where words will win you prosperity.
Time will tell.