‘Entire world echoing PTI’s rigging concern’

PTI founder says US Congress resolution based on facts

RAWALPINDI:

As the international drumbeat over his detention grows louder, an emboldened PTI founder Imran Khan acknowledged on Tuesday the mounting support for his cause, claiming the entire world was confirming the concerns his party has been voicing for months.

The incarcerated former prime minister said the resolution passed by the US Congress regarding alleged election rigging was presented after a thorough investigation, adding that a United Nations Human Rights group has also thrown weight behind him against his detention.

“Even the most powerful Israeli lobby hasn’t pulled off a resolution like this,” the former prime minister said speaking to the media at Adiala Jail. He claimed the US did its homework before approving the resolution, highlighting that it had passed with 85% support.

Citing reports from PILDAT and FAFEN that confirmed electoral fraud, Imran claimed the chief election commissioner was appointed to sweep these irregularities under the rug. “The entire country says it was a fraudulent election,” he asserted “The world is echoing what the commissioner of Rawalpindi said.”

He alleged that retired judges are being handpicked for tribunals to secure favourable rulings and called on the Supreme Court to scrutinise the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) handling of reserved seats.

Further criticising the February general elections, the PTI founder expressed his bewilderment. “Five months down the road, and I still don’t know who is in and who is out.”

He stressed that in any democracy, it’s unheard of to transfer one party’s seat to another.

Imran forecasted increased poverty and debt under the current government, suggesting that only investments from overseas Pakistanis could pull the country out of the fire. “Professionals are leaving the country due to the current conditions,” he added.

Addressing rumours of a forward bloc within PTI, he brushed them off, lauding Omar Ayub’s contributions to the party. “PTI has no forward bloc; it stands tall on the strength of its votes,” he asserted. “There’s no stronger party in the country, and no forward bloc can be formed.”

Imran attributed internal party disagreements to misunderstandings, announcing that he had called both groups for a meeting at Adiala Jail.

“Some left the party because of violence, others after reviewing documents. These are different ball games. I’ll personally handle their return to the party once I’m out of jail.”

When questioned about negotiating with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Khan quipped, “What’s there to negotiate with him? Should we talk about the weather?”

The PTI chief criticised the current government for running on lies and targeted the interior minister, calling Naqvi a fraud who operates on favouritism.

Reaffirming his stance on the cypher issue, he stated, “I still stand by my claim that the US threatened to topple our government, and they pulled it off. I’m not budging from my ‘absolutely not’ position.”

The former prime minister also lambasted the alleged interference of the ISI in civilian matters. “We’ve filed a petition questioning the presence of ISI majors and colonels in Adiala Jail,” he said.