Pakistan

PTI apologises for Imran Khan’s oft-quoted ‘35 punctures’ stance

Alvi admits the party should not have levelled the accusation without confirming facts

Web Desk July 02, 2015

PTI chairman Imran Khan. PHOTO: AFP

After much ado on the ‘35 punctures’ claim by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party’s key leader Arif Alvi has tendered an apology admitting the remarks were based on rumours and hearsay.

Alvi took to social media on Thursday to refute and withdraw the statement and oft-quoted by the PTI chairman. And while Imran himself didn't apologise in explicit terms, he did admit on Wednesday that the remarks made were ‘of a political nature.’

Read: Aiding rigging: Imran hits out at Najam Sethi

“We should have checked the facts before making such an accusation,” he said adding “We should not have believed on false accusations,” said Alvi.

It is time to apologise for 35 punctures. Many rumours regarding source of information & content were afloat and I believed some of them
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) July 2, 2015

The move was welcomed by Najam Sethi, then Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, whom Imran directly accused of the wrongdoing.

On May 12, 2014, the PTI chairman had strongly criticised Sethi for his alleged role in rigging the 2013 general elections.

“Next time the caretaker chief minister should not be like the one who mended 35 punctures,” he said repeating his allegations that Sethi had helped the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) rig the elections by misusing his position as the Punjab chief minister.

Read: Leaked conversation: 'Good, govt deserves it,' Imran allegedly told Alvi after PTV attack

Imran said the PML-N after coming to power rewarded Sethi by making him chairman of the PCB. He demanded Parliament introduce legislation to bar every member of an interim setup from assuming any government office for two years after serving as caretaker.

'No retreat from stance'

Talking to media, PTI leader Jahangir Tarin categorically said the party had not withdrawn its stance regarding rigging in the elections.

"We believe that even more than 35 punctures were used for rigging," he asserted.

Tarin went on to say that Alvi apologising on the statement was his personal opinion and the party had nothing to do with it.

COMMENTS (44)

Imran Ahmed | 8 years ago | Reply If he had not apologized I would have lost all respect for IK. He made a mistake earlier by trying to pass the buck for not investigating the rumours before issuing statements.

Ch. Allah Daad | 8 years ago | Reply Imran is a national leader, his words are taken very seriously by his followers. He should think before uttering words. There could have been very serious consequences if one of his staunch follower had punctured Najam Sethi after listening Imran's words.

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Raisani | 8 years ago | Reply For the sake of correction, it's not U-turn etc. It's a bigggggg "W" turn.

S | 8 years ago | Reply @Milind: 3 million figure is unverified and exaggerated. Besides we didn't elect army dictators but Indians actually elected Modi. Your comparison is faulty and you know that.

H Chaudhry | 8 years ago | Reply @MUNAFIQ You are absolutely lying and Wrong! No sethi DID NOT say that, go watch the entire program again and read the transcript. What Sethi is he has no powers 10 days before elections similar to other CM's as ECP took control which is by law. The Punjab admin started reporting Model town from June 5th, 5 weeks after elections and rightfully so to CM elect. That is what he said so No you are not talking to ignorants, you are the ignorant. As for IK, YES he did Lie, there is No if then but about it, he Lied and lied and lied, there are hours of footage available and he will be crucified for this in 2018 elections. Shame on him.

Mehr | 8 years ago | Reply The thing is at least imran should display a different example. People don't want to see another nawaz sharif in making, we want change but Imran is disappointing @Layman:

Enemy of MUNAFIQ | 8 years ago | Reply I Am Not Speaking to Ignorants ! IK does not spoke any lie, Murtaza Poya acceptance is available on internet, it was informal conversation with Mr. Simpson & He can not be produce before court. Thus 35 punctures is the reality. In continuation of this episode Mr. SETHI has confessed before J.C that all the Punjab Administration receiving orders from Model Town & Raiwind 7 days before polling which is not only support IK statement of 35 puntures but A BIGGER CONFESSION OF MASS RIGGING.

Milind | 8 years ago | Reply @Asim - "I can’t remember if India got any ruler other than Congress or BJP. And at-least our rulers are not involved in mass killings like in Gujrat or the Rapists. " Well then let me remind you of another set of rulers - you army, who unleashed genocide in Bangladesh (3 Million) far higher in scale than Gujarat. It still continues to disappear folks opposed to it, bombs its own civilians in FATA, Baluchistan..

Sandip | 8 years ago | Reply @Usman: First of all Mr. Taliban "U-turn" Khan has not said a single word of sorry nor expressed regret that all this while he was lying through his teeth to the Pakistani nation. Secondly, this expresses grave doubts as to the integrity of Mr. Khan. This is the umpteenth time that he has made baseless allegations, knowing fully well that he had no proof to back up his allegations. Given the drama that unfolded in these months last year and the subsequent statements by Mr. Hashmi, the natural question to ask is who was the puppet master of that entire show to the tune of which the so called great leader had been dancing.

Mature | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan should consider increasing the age of eligible voters so that the immature youth gets some time to mature and is not hoodwinked by such parties and in the process the country is not destroyed by dharnas, strikes, civil obediences and above all the psyche of lying, name calling, putting allegations and whatever to achieve ones perverted goals of ruling the country.

pervaiz | 8 years ago | Reply Now IK should tender further apologies for his effort to derail democracy, being a CHAMCHA of Pasha and a character of London plan. No effect his previous U-Turns if he adds some new U-Turns

Hasan Askari | 8 years ago | Reply Arif Alvi is making grounds for moving to PMNL-N

Ch. Allah Daad | 8 years ago | Reply When will he apologize for his unfair long march, dharna drama and damaging economy worth hundreds of billions?

A Patriot | 8 years ago | Reply Sharam Karo - Haya Karo. Think before you speak. Shame on you

Adnan Siddiqi | 8 years ago | Reply @Layman: When is Shahbaz sharif apologizing to the nation for all the lies and false commitment he did to them before elections regarding electricity and zardari.. RIP logic. So by your argument, there is absolutely no difference between Niazi and Shahbaz Sharif. Now the question is, who should be elected between the two since neither one of them is a saint. An overwhelming majority would go for Shahbaz Sharif because despite him being a liar and a conventional politician he delivers and always has. As for Niazi, the only thing he has delivered till date is his deranged state of mind, lies, balderdash and nonsensical gibberish.

Adnan Siddiqi | 8 years ago | Reply @Raamo: Take a hike pal. At least we don't elect sadistic killers like Adolf Modi who spearheaded the genocide of more than 3,000 muslims in Gujrat. Furthermore, you ain't an Indian but a cult worshiping fanboy pretending to be an Indian.

MASOOM | 8 years ago | Reply That act of alvi and tareen differentiate the type of personalities . ik should have team like alvi rather than like tareen and shah mehmood !

Asim | 8 years ago | Reply @Raamo - I can't remember if India got any ruler other than Congress or BJP. And at-least our rulers are not involved in mass killings like in Gujrat or the Rapists.

Raamo | 8 years ago | Reply Looks like Pakistanis would never choose a corruption free and honest man as their prime minister.so what if he gave some some statements.. In principal what ever he said is true.. Is it not the case that your ruling elite have robbed you of even basic necessities of life for past 50 years and in return have increased there own wealth. Being an Indian I cannot understand how can you ppl keep on voting for same faces/parties who you yourself know have nothing in common with you. Shame on you all..

Kashif Iqbal | 8 years ago | Reply Koi sharam hoti ha, koi haya hoti ha ! This man paralyzed Islamabad for couple of months. Such a shame.

z | 8 years ago | Reply I had a plan to vote for PTI in next election, honestly feeling disgusting now. What a joke is this? Shame on him. Can we ban these kind of leaders from Pakistani politics. Good luck to those PPP folks who just joined this loony battalion.

Hasan | 8 years ago | Reply The headline is misleading. PTI has not apologized, it is a statement by Mr Alvi. Further down Mr Tareen clearly states that "Arif Alvi apologising on the statement was his personal opinion and the party had nothing to do with it". Even for Arif Alvi, it is not an apology by any standard. It is merely a statement that is is time apologize. Sure, no do that please - where is the I/we are sorry!"

Usman | 8 years ago | Reply We all make mistakes...but hardly anyone say sorry. Atleast they have the courage.... But I am a little disappointed too that what took them so long to realize their mistakes and who have they held responsible?

Asim | 8 years ago | Reply @London Banker - 35 puncture allegation wasn't a mistake, it was intentional and legally it is a crime.

khaptaan | 8 years ago | Reply Imran is definitely master of U-turn. He should also teach this art to his trolls as well.

Tired | 8 years ago | Reply What a loser. Ex PTI

Usman | 8 years ago | Reply So, 1 of many many allegations he levelled turns out inaccurate based on information he received. Compare this with how many turned out to be true. Funny how suddenly this has changed everything (NOT).

A1 | 8 years ago | Reply Not going to vote for PTI. I have no respect left for Imran Khan, for he is no different. How can we believe anything that PTI says, after the lie about 35 punctures that had me blaming najam sehti on different occasions in gatherings. I feel ashamed for having done so.

London Banker | 8 years ago | Reply This is why I will always support this party. It take GUTS to admit a mistake. When was the last time PMLN or another party apologised? Have they never made a mistake?

Blithe | 8 years ago | Reply These guys have still not learnt the lesson . Tarin is still not owning up to it. Incorrigible !

Asim | 8 years ago | Reply Another U-Turn..

Ashraf | 8 years ago | Reply Does Imran Khan have ANY credibility left? Seriously, the joker and his jesters should just go home. Their immaturity and inability to use their heads has become a running joke.

Ali | 8 years ago | Reply At least better than several O-turns of Mr. Shahbaz Sharif who never felt the need of apologizing to the public for his open lies about ending electricity crisis. Therefore apologies must be accepted as it is not easy to apologize before public.

Sohail | 8 years ago | Reply To sethi; Please keep persuading your case so this type of practices could be bared in futur .

QueensMan | 8 years ago | Reply For Reham khan sake, I am forgiving you....!!

H Chaudhry | 8 years ago | Reply Najam Sethi should be compensated for this shameless act. Justice Chaudhry must also press on so as NADRA and ECP. If some one can lie in one place why cant he lie in another! Imran Khan is nothing but a Fraud Liar.

Jamhoor | 8 years ago | Reply It is good that "allegation politics" is dying down in Pakistan.

Layman | 8 years ago | Reply When is Shahbaz sharif apologizing to the nation for all the lies and false commitment he did to them before elections regarding electricity and zardari..

Malveros | 8 years ago | Reply Another U-Turn. Tauba Tauba.

baig | 8 years ago | Reply PTI and Imran are U turn party. They are not muture, they are still growing.

jennyqueenqueen | 8 years ago | Reply I’ve been learning the website Emini S&P Trading Secret I’m so happy and satisfied with their teachings about how to trade, they have excellent videosthat they are running. I’m learning in their course materials and I’ve been doing really well so far and my goal within one month is to quit my job and I

Sami | 8 years ago | Reply When will you apologize to Mr. Iftikhar Chaudhry, Mr. Ramday, Officials of EC and to whole nation for wasting their time and energy? I'm defending you for last three years on ET but now I'm fed up. You will never stopped to do politics of allegations. Rather focusing on party organization you always blame others.

Proud Pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply Easiest job in the world is to criticise and difficult job is to do some constructive work - so the old fanatic politician opted for the first one - he must be ashamed of himself for hostaging the whole country for 3 to 4 months. This is his politics. Shame on him.

Common Pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply Apology!? After 1.5 years of mud-slinging... and avoiding defamation proceedings.

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