Express News screen grab of Imran Khan speaking at the Ulema conference on Wednesday, January 28, 2015.
ISLAMABAD: While condemning the Charlie Hebdo cartoons, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan held the leadership of the Muslim world responsible for what happened in France as a result of their publication.
"We couldn't even tell France not to insult the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in the name of freedom of speech," the PTI chief said while addressing the Ulema Mashaiq Conference in Islamabad on Wednesday while addressing the Ulema Mashaiq Conference in Islamabad on Wednesday.
Imran went on to say that no one can buy the conscience of an honest man, but he has witnessed people who do politics in the name of religion being bought off.
He said that the conditions for Pakistan and Muslims have worsened because of their own actions.
“…We should have stood against oppression and injustice a long time ago,” he said. “We will never achieve our goals unless we stand for our rights.”
He reiterated his long-standing stance that the general polls of 2013 were the most rigged elections in the history of Pakistan.
“…How will democracy flourish when the government has been formed through rigging,” said the PTI chairman.
COMMENTS (29)
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Paksitanis don't deserve ik they deserve .mr 10 percent and gullo bhutts.
Imran Khan talks the most rubbish and should shutup! He talks about all this now where was he when all this was happening? Oh yes, he was getting married..
Idiot!!
@Zaida Parvez: I don't know which part of Britain you have lived in , but l have lived in uk for the past 53 years and l've never heard anyone refer to Imran Khan as dim. People accept that he is very idealist politically, but he is not a thief who would steal from the govt chest to line his own pockets or that of his children. We should acknowledge that he has this noble and dignified quality and more importantly we must learn to disagree with him without name calling!
we live in a country where every thing is stolen, even a poor's right to vote, and we abuse openly those who speak against this injustice... no doubt we need someone to teach us with drones and bombs the difference between right and wrong...
Imran Khan is the only leader who has the courage to stand up to western nations rather than bow down in subjugation. He speaks the truth and has brought bigger change in KPK in less than 2 years than what has been brought in 60 years. The haters trolling on tribune are living in their ivory towers as the masses are with Imran Khan as proved by the biggest political rallies in Pakistan's history over the last few months.
Mr. Khan, you have not told us anything new or informative. We are all aware that the leaders of Islamic Countries are puppets in the hands of the Western and European powers. Further, the OIC is an Impotent body. Would appreciate if you could focus your attention on KPK province esp. development and security issues.
Unable to deliver in KPK, it is natural for Imran to become more and more right wing to maintain a hold on vote-bank. It is really sad.
For once the Muslim leadership is taking the Islamic world in the right direction, by not getting aggravated by non-issues like cartoons...
And IK wants them to spend their energy on these trivial issues instead of focusing on major issues - intra-sect warfare, terrorism, lack of scientific temper, Darfur genocide, contentious issues, afflicting the Islamic world.
What Imran says is to be expected in a country where more than half of the girls do not go to school. In such male chauvinist societies , leaders like Imran and sharifs thrive. Today 97% of Bangladeshi young girls have access to educaton. In Pakistan less than half. Look at what Imran seeks. He s extremely smart . He reaches people who have broader unreresolved issues with the ruling elite. He says he will take care of them. He never touches more complex issues which are the root causes of our problems. In the province he rules, women are treated like dirt. They are denied access to education and modern living. He s totally silent on that. Silent on the killings of minorities in the country. We need create a million Malalas to get rid of idiots like Imran. Islamic countries donot need male leaders like Imran. We need smart, educated female leaders, peace with India and lower military budgets.
In good old Blighty, Imran Khan is called "Im,The Dim" among expat Pakistanis. They love him but there is a feeling that he won't be a member of Mensa anytime soon. It is statements like these that reinforce that impression.
@woody: Guess what party appeases religious parties like JuiF and ASWJ? Hint: Their leader is Zia's political son.
I totally agree with Imran Khan here but can he also specifically name the groups responsible for killing Muslims in Pakistan on a daily basis and condemn them ?
Im the Dim wants to be the PM.Thats all!
All should recall the "silence" of IK over EVER actually calling the TTP "Terrorists"!!!!
i disagree with IK on so many things. But i was always hesitant to say things that would drop of from ethical point. Also i thought, either i support him or not. A third Party is a must need for Pakistan but literally with all my convictions... i must say, that i am getting a feeling that he was dropped from the crane in 2013. and something has been done on his brain... how he ...i mean he has turned into a total psycho a psycho ....
Just yesterday 300 Madrassa students shut down an Christian school, Pure luck no body injured or died. I M the Dumb has to learn stop babbling.
@Khalil: Peoples like you actually are stumbling block in the way of common man s' politics, plz have patient, tolerate a person not haphazardly got entry into politics
I think it is rich for people condemning Imran for raising voice against rigged elections. The essence of democracy is one person one vote. If that cannot be assured why do we have elections. What is the point of calling Pakistan a democratic government when the people in government got there because of the money and not on a vision. I am not saying just because I support Imran Khan (which I do), but the point is the basic right in democracy is every 5 years your voice will be heard and the government will be by the people not formed in someone's house. If thats what we want, then why just have martial law and save money we spend for elections. What he is asking for is not for him to be in power but have free and fair elections and then hold leaders accountable. Never understood why so much resistance to someone who talks about fair elections. Remember no justice no peace.
Also I am not pro religious parties but we have to release rightly or wrongly there is a segment of population that vote based on their religious perspective, so in a true democracy you have to go after those segment of population as well. Isn't that what democracy is about?
@naeem khan: you mean he should say, carry this act on, mind your language, how ET is being entitled moderated to not filter comments of these fanatics
This guy, like pretty much all his predecessors, has absolutely ZERO faith in the people of the country and believes that the only way to the corridors of power is through the aashirwaad of the religious right and the clergy. This is another future leader of the country who, when he finally comes to power, will bend over backwards to please the mullahs and their 7th century ideals for the state. Please don't expect ANYTHING different from this one just because he doesn't belong to the traditional feudal, industrial or military background.
Most of what he said made sense...but its a bit late in the day now.
We as a nation do not deserve to have a leader like IK. This nation needs Zardari and Nawaz to be ruled
Photoshoots of Imran Khan praying in the lawn ( With Rayband sunglasses ) and now these Statements are just proving the transformation of Khan Saahib into a perfect politician. The hope for KP transformation by PTI is slowly fading away.
This guy never fails to bring politics in everything. I hope he never becomes our PM.
Could we make this clown Prime Minister as soon as possible so we don't have to listen to his constant whining about rigged elections.
oh please just shut up for once
Good to see at least someone cares
He didn't get the moniker Taliban Khan for nothing - pathetic pandering for votes from religious right.