July 17 by-polls to end Hamza’s rule: Imran

PTI chief claims his party will win by-elections with ‘great margin against all odds’

LAHORE:

PTI chairman and deposed premier Imran Khan on Sunday again mixed religion with politics by terming the upcoming by-elections as “jihad against the US slavery” and the end of CM Hamza Shehbaz's rule in Punjab.

Addressing party activists’ conventions in four provincial assembly constituencies in which by-elections are being held after the de-seating of the PTI lawmakers, Imran said his party would win the by-polls with a great margin “against all odds” despite the “umpire” teaming up with the incumbent rulers.

The PTI chief reiterated that the US had imposed its puppets by hatching a regime change conspiracy against an elected government in Pakistan.

“Imported rulers have given themselves another NRO [National Reconciliation Order also meaning amnesty in graft cases] by pardoning their corruption of Rs1.10 trillion.”

He claimed that former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf had given them an NRO, forgiving their plunder in the 90s and providing them with an opportunity to loot the country for another decade.

“However, the people of Pakistan will not allow them [to do this] anymore with the power of their vote,” he maintained.

He claimed that the people of Pakistan would not accept the slavery of the foreign power that the “imported rulers” were “trying to impose on them”.

He added that July 17-- the day of the by-elections in Punjab -- would be the end of Hamza’s rule in Punjab.

Also read: ‘Below me to respond to compulsive liar like Imran,’ says ex-brigadier

“With fresh general elections, the people of Pakistan will get real independence.”

Speaking about the recent amendments to the accountability law, Imran maintained that the “imported rulers” had virtually eliminated the accountability system in the country.

“Now you cannot take legal action on white-collar crimes. All corruption and loot of the past 10 years of the present rulers have been legalised,” he claimed.

“Whenever there is an attempt to hold the Sharif and Zardari families accountable, they run away from the country. Earlier, [former premier] Nawaz Sharif ran to Saudi Arabia and now the UK along with their sons, nephews and close relatives.”

The PTI chief claimed that all of them were waiting for his government to end so they could get another NRO and start looting the country again.

“Pakistan faces no major external threat but serious internal threats from these corrupt rulers.”

Imran said the PML-N, particularly Nawaz, had never played a match without teaming up with umpires. Recalling the old days of Gymkhana Club, he disclosed that whenever Nawaz played cricket, he brought umpires with him who gave a no-ball when he lost his wicket.

“The PML-N has not left this cheating habit and teamed up umpires with them for the upcoming by-elections. The state machinery is being used to harass PTI activists and supporters,” he claimed.
“However, there is no need to worry as all PTI activists and supporters are committed to defeating the turncoats and corrupt with the power of their votes.”

The PTI chairman appealed to the people of Pakistan to continue their struggle against corruption and for real independence for our children and generations to come.

He underscored that he was not struggling for his rule but for real independence in the country.

He claimed that Pakistan's economy was performing very well and all economic indicators were indicating growth when a conspiracy was hatched against his government.

“Now it is the collective responsibility of all Pakistanis to fight against the ‘imported regime’ with the power of their votes. They [current rulers] will make all attempts to rig the by-elections but it’s the responsibility of every citizen to stop their nefarious attempts to steal the public mandate.”

Imran addressed public gatherings in PP-168, 158, 170 and 167 and met with the party’s candidates, Malik Nawaz Awan, Mian Akram Usman, Malik Zaheer Abbas Khokhar and Shabir Ahmad Gujjar.

He was briefed about electioneering and the current political situation in the province.

PTI leaders Hammad Azhar, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, Ejaz Chaudhry and others were also present on the occasion.