Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has rejected a three-member committee constituted by the Punjab government to probe into Friday’s deadly stampede at his party’s rally in Multan. Seven PTI supporters were killed and dozens more injured in the stampede at the Ibne Qasim Bagh Stadium minutes after the PTI rally had concluded.
“I don’t trust your inquiry report,” Imran said while addressing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at his sit-in at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on Saturday. He rebuffed the government’s accusation that the PTI was responsible for the tragedy and asked as to “who had locked the exit gates of the stadium after the rally and why”. He claimed that the police were standing idle and watching when the stampede was taking place. “I promise you all that we will get justice for those who have been killed, come what may,” he said.
Imran once again claimed that both Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari had teamed up to protect each other’s interests. “I don’t have a single penny in banks abroad and therefore I’m not afraid of anything. I ask Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari why they are reluctant to declare their real assets,” he added.
The PTI chairman said that unless heads of the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz declared their assets, their party members would never do that and ultimately the government would not be able to collect taxes.
Talking about the foreign loans, he said that every Pakistani was under a debt of Rs88,000 which used to be Rs6,000 only six years ago. “Where was this money spent because poverty has increased manifold during these years?” he asked. “The government is seeking loans for debt servicing. On the other hand, the rulers are getting rich and expanding their business empires.”
He said when the IMF would ask for repayments, the government would increase the prices of petroleum products and electricity tariff. “Oil prices have come down by Rs15 per litre in the international market but the Pakistani government reduced the prices merely by Rs3,” he said.
Imran presented his plan to get out of this vicious circle of debts, saying that his party, after coming to power, would improve the tax collection system as at present both the rich and the poor were paying the same tax. “We will not increase tax but will collect from those who do not pay,” he added.
The second step, he said, would be controlling corruption and for that the prime minister and his cabinet members would have to declare their assets. He cited Europe’s example and said: “No one can contest elections there unless he declares his assets, sources of income and payment of taxes.”
He said the third step would be foreign investment. “And investment will come only when governance is improved, when there is justice, the police play their role and there is no corruption in the country,” he said, adding that if these conditions were met, overseas Pakistanis would investments in the country.
Responding to Zardari’s statement about finances for his ongoing sit-ins and rallies across the country, Imran said people of Pakistan were financing the PTI – a support which, he claimed, they would not offer to Zardari. “And I will bring your ill-gotten money back to Pakistan,” he added.
Shahbaz Sharif constitutes committee
Earlier, the Punjab government formed a three-member committee to probe into the Multan tragedy. The committee comprises Secretary for Environment Iqbal Muhammad Chauhan, DIG Ali Amir and Special Secretary for Interior Dr Shoaib Akbar. The committee has been directed to present its report to the Punjab chief minister in the next two to three days.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2014.
COMMENTS (4)
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this loony will now capitalize from the death of his own supporters, due to lack of proper health and safety requirements- he is a coward who only wants to be pm without any responsibility.He would even capitalize from his own childrens death, if it helped him become pm!Sins of all sorts are committed at these unislamic gatherings,where, three granddad aged 'superstars'(emu, qureshi, rasheed) singing at the top of the voice' 'emu for pm'!God's curse be on them
The stealing of chairs and IK's fall was also not his or his party's fault. KPK is a model province now and IK wants to make Punjab as the same. When would they start taking the responsibility of their own disorganization and VIP gates? These double talking lifetime and lifelong party chiefs would not keep their poor followers safe while their own kids are safe in the luxuries of West. Of course why would they want to go through the hardships of Dharna?
Not a lot of remorse for the dead. More about scoring political points. Very disappointed.