Pakistan

Imran asks Islamabad to defeat ‘cabal of crooks’ in LG polls

PTI chief hails IHC verdict to set aside ECP decision on Islamabad local elections

News Desk December 30, 2022

PTI chief Imran Khan is delivering a video message on Friday. SCREENGRAB

Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has welcomed the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) verdict to set aside Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone local body elections in the federal capital.

IHC Judge Justice Muhammad on Friday nullified the ECP decision and ordered the election watchdog to hold elections in 101 union councils of the federal capital on its scheduled date — Dec 31 (tomorrow).

Reacting to the court’s verdict, Imran congratulated the people saying that after the IHC decision people of the federal capital would be able to elect their local government and expressed hope that his political opponents will be defeated in the polls.

اسلام آباد ہائیکورٹ کی جانب سے وفاقی دارلحکومت میں 31 دسمبر کو ہی بلدیاتی انتخابات کے انعقاد کا حکم،

چئیرمین پاکستان تحریک انصاف عمران خان کی جانب سے اسلام آباد کے عوام کے نام خصوصی پیغام- #بلے_پہ_ٹھپہ #بدلو_اسلام_آباد_کپتان_کے_سنگ pic.twitter.com/JocemeuUoX
— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 30, 2022

“Unfortunately, a cabal of crooks is imposed on the country and the election commission is hand in glove with them [PDM government] and it [ECP] always gives verdict against democracy,” he added.

Imran said the incumbent rulers are afraid of the elections as they wanted to “keep their hold on the country”.

Also read: ECP directed to hold local body elections in Islamabad tomorrow

Imran reiterated his allegations that the “corrupt” PDM rulers were involved in horse-trading and trying to buy loyalties of the PTI lawmakers using corruption money.

“They are left with no option as the people have rejected them. I strongly urge you to participate fully in the municipal elections tomorrow,” he added.

On Tuesday, the ECP had postponed the local body elections which were scheduled for Dec 31 in the federal capital on the grounds that the number of union councils are being increased in line with the boost in population.

On the federation’s request, the ECP cancelled the schedule of LB elections and postponed them, saying that the detailed decision would be issued later.