Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan dispelled the impression that the ISI is behind his party’s recent rise in popularity or the success of its political campaign, during a press conference on Saturday.
“I don’t believe in dictation from the military nor does the PTI believe in support from hidden forces,” he emphasised, referring to the ISI and the army.
“We are strong believers in democracy which restrains the military from poking its nose in the civilian government’s affairs,” he said.
“PTI will disassociate Pakistan from the war on terror led by the US and declare war against corruption, which has destroyed our economy like the plague.”
He vowed to halt drone attacks and block NATO supplies and reiterated that his government, if voted into power, would close all US bases and intelligence centres in Pakistan and cancel visas issued to CIA operatives.
He also announced a 100-day plan to make Pakistan a ‘corruption-free state.’
The timing of the press conference coincides with calls for mid-term elections by the opposition and moves to form a grand alliance to overthrow the government.
100-day plan
According to the PTI chief, the new plan he unfurled envisages strategic action on multiple levels to tackle the menace of terrorism, corruption, unemployment and inflation on a priority basis.
He pledged to end military operations and withdraw troops from Swat and Fata and hand over responsibility for law and order in volatile areas to the Frontier Corps, a paramilitary force officered by the army.
He also promised to set up a special commission to investigate human rights violations in Fata and Swat and determine the nature and scale of compensation to innocent victims and their relatives.
Politicians and government officials in possession of foreign bank accounts or properties will be forced to declare their assets and sources of income, failing which they will be banned from holding public office, he said.
He declared that special perks and privileges extended to the president, PM, ministers and parliamentarians would be abolished.
Judges of the superior judiciary will be appointed through a judicial commission without interference from parliamentarians and restructured public service commissions will be empowered to appoint government officials, he added. He said his party would declare an education emergency. Allocations for education will be increased at the rate of two per cent annually.
Responding to a question on the opposition, he advised PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to quit politics over his failure to fulfill his commitments during his dual term as the country’s premier.
“His brand of politics is focused on the yellow cab scheme rather than on alleviating people’s miseries,” he said.
He reiterated his party would not join the grand opposition alliance against the government.
Khan said that special tax incentives would be announced for overseas Pakistanis to encourage investment in the country. A national energy authority will be established under the PM’s purview. Better management, control of theft and wastage, and revamping power plants can improve efficiency by 50 per cent, he claimed.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2011.
COMMENTS (31)
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@American Muse: I would say do not fight for USA again like we did in past against Russia. What we got just "mujahideen turns Taliban" or "Al Qaeeda" and our people are dying and USA is just killing people everywhere and they are still peaceful country. USA is root cause of terrorism in alllll the world.
Imran Khan is honest beyond any doubt and we just need an honest and sincere leader to give right path to Pakistan. Zar-dari, GIllani are just here to peruse USA benefits and to collect money through huge corruption. We can even follow Singapore, Malaysia model to eradicate corruption and main causes of problems in Pakistan.
Sadly, the sociopolitical culture of Pakistan is both odious and decrepit. Its military simply reflects the culture's prevailing norms, just as in other countries. Nepotism and endemic corruption are rampant throughout that unfortunate nation, while flagrant human rights abuses, gross gender inequality and intolerable religious sanctimony thrive at its heart. Hopefully, Imran Khan can make a difference. Please say a prayer for Pakistan.
I see IK shut his mouth on the topic on terrorism of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed. It seems he is no different than other who say one thing and promote these terror groups. Whoever deals with terror and corruption, no matter what, should be elected and i sadly see no one in Pak. That person has to deal with ISI and that means paying with his or her life.
All you guys are going to vote for Pakistan Tehrik E Insaf as there is no other option.
Get ready for a change, Man.!!! Stop critiicizing.. Get your votes registered- the youth !!!!!
I really inspired with Imran Khan's vision but i always thing how he can win the election and be a prime minister of Pakistan, Here we know about the transparency of the election we can put transparent ballet box only.I wish to vote for him and so many like me wants to vote for him but point is that is it enough to grab seat of prime minister of Pakistan for him i am sure not so how and when we can go towards the real democracy?
@faraz: Imran will make this country another Sudan !!
@faraz: As soon as Khan gets power, he is going to change and become a western playboy again. This may not be possible at his age but he would not remain the hawk he is now without power. Every leader who comes into power tones down his/her rhetoric and becomes a moderate. Currently NS is sounding an enemy of America; however, the same NS ran to the US on its independence day and begged President Clinton to help him and Pakistan out of Kargil fiasco. However, his chance to come into power is slim to none. The only chance he has is align himself with JI and other rightwing parties and through the backdoor. Thanks and regards, Mirza
@ali: A government is a creation that attempts to spread power out rather than giving absolute power. Honesty and hard work would be a good start to a foundation of a completely overhauled country, but in Pakistan, the army stands in the way of allowing that scenario. But it does little good when surrounded by self serving politicians. Removing those people is a nice thought but, doing it is another thing. The ones people want to get rid of have enough power so that they can't be gotten rid of due to a disagreement. It is done that way so they can debate without fear of being fired for saying something the opposing party doesn't like to balance things out. Also, the army would need to give up power willingly in the plan and it's not going to happen because he asks nicely.
As I said, his plan sounds pretty. It gets rid of all common negative opinions in an aggressive bulldozer style. The problem is there are governmental safeguards in all systems to preserve itself. He's going to be running into those repeatedly. To go around them means to make nice with the people you don't like. I'm not saying it's a good thing or that it's how it should be. But, it does not change the fact he is going to be working within those constraints.
My statements aren't shots at the character of Imran Khan and PTI. They're just the truth. It's better for it to be mentioned sooner than later. It just means the first draft won't fly. That does not mean he can't go back to the drawing board and edit it while preserving the same concepts.
Rewind back to World Cup 1992 when no one had selected Pakistan to come through even the initial group matches. Imran Khan before the semi final against New Zealand told the team to play like 'cornered tigers'. A young 22 year old Inzamam who had probably never been in a pressure situation before showed the world his class. Who inspired him ? Wasim Akram was having a horrible world cup before the final and was not getting wickets like he was expected to. He came back in the final and we all know what happened thereafter. Who inspired him ? Till this day that world cup is remembered because of Imran Khan's captaincy. He awakened the soul within each individual in the team. If he says he can bring change within 100 days then we must rally behind him and realize the dream of a new Pakistan. I believe in the Lion of Pakistan ! Pakistan Zindabad !
Somehow no one take him seriously.
Imran khan never fail to amaze me every party have plan even better than this what is use of turning president house pm secretariat in education it will just help some rich people in Islamabad,opposition and government are two different world ground reality are different,judges should be elected by parliament(it represents people) and there is danger of one particular lobby to manipulating the judiciary(history).u cannot ban somebody form holding public office because they just fail to show their foreign assets.u have make laws according to constitution of 1973,u cannot make a u-turn with usa on war on terror its not about us dollar because people in swat and fata also hate Taliban,i wont give vote to a person who say its not our war.because 37000+ people were killed by these stubborn maniacs,i want pakistan clean for these people corruption an be solved in 168hrs,tax system is most crucial point only brave government can change it because it will risk its popularity,nobody an control inflation u will know it we knew it u wont get vote on this issue salaries should rise with inflation(how can that be possible),finally,even the vote whole population who believe in these points(rightist)which is not practical wont give u even simple majority ,so u should add something to gain attention of general public rather particular portion or else u will be another nawaz sharif ,if u want to bring change in pakistan u should gain something meaningful in every province in general election only one or two parties can do that.PLEASE DON'T ABUSE POLITICIAN THIS WILL ONLY MAKE THEIR SUPPORT MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR LEADER AND U WONT GET ANY CONVERTED VOTES MIND IT!!!!
Ending corruption in 100 days. BUAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Imran Bhai, if you have no patrons at high places e.g. USA, Saudi Arabia, U.K, Army, CIA, ISI, then you have no chances of winning any seat. Pakistanis vote those leaders who have good connections and easily accessible. Unfortunatley the high places where you have patrons are hated by majority of people. We cannot fight them, but we avenge them in elections.
I don't support Imran Khan but I want to see him as the leader too.
The rest are dried tomatoes.
@Cautions: If we would not have people like you really how can we stop progressing. Great policy criticize those who think good for country and give the vote to seasoned corrupt people.
I feel Pakistanis should give this great cricketer a chance to rule the country and who knows he might prove lucky for Pakistan.
With a magic wave of his wand he's going to eliminate corruption, make peace with everyone, and make Pakistan wealthy --- where do I sign up? How can anyone take this guy seriously -- he panders populist nonsense which which is short on substance. This guy wouldn't last 2 minutes in a legitimate debate with anyone with an IQ of 100.
What a vision this man got i will support this man and also tell the youth of pakistan to VOTE for him he is a CHANGE in pakisan politecs. to save the country its a last option IMRAN KHAN BE PRIME MINISTER.
@SW: ability ??? you dont need to be Super Man to run the country, just Honest and Hardworking.You can hire other experts to do technical things
@saleem: why ? desi liberals like you still wont support him.IK has called for a inquiry into the death of Saleem Shehzad.we dont know who killed him, yet you will no doubt blame ISI for everything
Imran will block NATO supplies and US and EU will impose economic sanctions and end all bilateral trade. Without the next tranche of IMF loans, the economy will go bankrupt. Nobody is stupid enough to invest in a sinking economy. Just try to get some taxes out of the trader’s community; the unions will shut down the entire country. The idea of a swift change in diplomacy or economy is ridiculous. Change has to be gradual; I expected a mature and workable 100 day plan. This is the usual rhetoric one listens on talk shows
This plan is the only plan for a better Pakistan. Ever successful nation denounced white collar capitalists and curbed their corruption. I and my family will vote for Justice this time.
Imran appears to be the only hope.Lets hope he can get good ,winning people around him. He should try to shed the impression of a "one man show". Teamwork and only Team work will take him to the top.
Imran is the last and only hope. We have to vote him in now.
It's a shame that PTI stands no chance of being able to do that. It sounds pretty but the plan is founded on the use of abilities he will not possess even if elected.
Democracy is the name of gradual improvement. At Present, Khan is the best. Let's support him and bring him into power. Once a better option is available, we can rethink. Remember gradual positive change is the key to success. Five generals have conducted adventures, and we are now no where. Lets continue with democracy and hope for better and better leadership with the passage of time.
Its so funny that Parties like PPP and PML n, who has grown up in the laps of establishment thinks that that every rising force has a secret hand behind it.lol.... pity on their narrow mindedness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If Imran Khan wants to dispel the impression then he should be honest and stand in line with the rest of the country for placing the responsibility of Saleem Shahzad death where it belongs