Imran sees pitfalls new govt will run into

Incarcerated PTI founder says any setup formed with stolen votes will sink economy

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan said on Tuesday he had instructed his party not to engage with any political party that stole people’s mandate, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

In a message from Adiala Jail, released through his family, the PTI founder thanked the people of Pakistan for entrusting his party “with a resounding two-thirds majority” and assured the masses that the PTI would “never compromise on the will of the people”.

He commended the PTI’s social media team as well as polling agents of the party-backed candidates for securing Form-45 “in the face of harassment and threats”. He also revealed that the party would challenge the Feb 8 election results in the Supreme Court.

“As the people of Pakistan have clearly pronounced their verdict, there is a dire need for democracy and fairness in Pakistan’s elections,” the PTI founder said. “The PTI will never compromise on the will of the people,” Imran added.

“I have categorically instructed my party against engaging with any political party that has robbed people’s mandate, including the PPP, the PML-N and the MQM,” he continued. “I warn against misadventure of forming a government with stolen votes.”

During his informal discussions at Adiala Jail, Imran cautioned that any attempt at what he termed "daylight robbery" not only constitutes an affront to the citizens but also poses a grave threat to the country's already fragile economy, potentially plunging it further into a downward spiral. He reiterated PTI's determination to challenge the election results in the highest judicial authority, the Supreme Court.

The PTI chief unequivocally rejected any possibility of forming an alliance with the PML-N, PPP, or MQM-P. He directed the party’s Information Secretary, Raoof Hassan, to convene representatives from all political parties except the aforementioned three to collectively address and condemn the alleged rigging.

Referring to the next prime minister of Pakistan, Imran said a decision had not been taken yet. However, he nominated Ali Amin Gandapur for the post of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chief minister. Imran denied any meeting between him and officials on the jail premises.