PTI focusing on 2018 elections: Tareen

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is focusing on winning the 2018 general elections, PTI secretary general Jahangir Tareen said on Tuesday.

He was addressing a workers’ convention at the party’s NA-122 office in Garhi Shahu. Abdul Aleem Khan and MPAs Shoaib Siddiqi and Mian Aslam Iqbal were also present.

“PTI leaders must contest the upcoming intraparty elections but not fight one another. They should not only prepare for the intraparty elections, but also keep the 2018 general elections in mind,” he said.

He said the by-elections issue had been complicated by the government. “Instead of addressing rigging concerns, the government is bent on opposing our stance,” he said.

Khan said he was ready to contest the NA-122 election whenever it was held. “Even if the PM provides golden roads in this constituency, I shall win. Instead of indulging in mudslinging, Ayaz Sadiq should focus on the welfare of his constituency,” he said.

Earlier, Tareen held a meeting with Khan and Siddiqi to discuss fielding joint candidates in the intraparty elections at district, regional and provincial levels.

Khan said that preparations for the intraparty elections were in full swing. “We should also focus on ensuring that there are no permanent rifts. We should focus on countering the plots of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N),” he said.

After a meeting between Tareen and their leaders, the Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek announced their support for the PTI in the upcoming NA-101 by-elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2016.