Our rally in Karachi will be decisive: Imran Khan

Attempts to hold fraudulent elections will be thwarted, warns PTI chief.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced on Sunday that it would continue to interact with various political entities across the political spectrum to invite “pure” politicians but ruled out the possibility of alliance with any conventional party for now.

“The PTI will approach electable politicians from each constituency,” said PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

“But they will be routed through the authorised party channels only.”

The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the party took the decision at a time when the PTI was facing criticism that it has no electable politicians for fielding around 10, 000 of its candidates in the country.

“Our doors are also open for all likeminded groups for a new political venture,” Khan said while briefing journalists about the CEC’s recommendations.

He reiterated that his party will award tickets to only those who have never been involved in corruption.

“Efforts to invite pure politicians across the party lines will be continued with full zeal and zest. Attempts to hold fraudulent elections would be vigorously thwarted by the PTI workers,” asserted Khan

“Military can never seize power until civilian government fails to deliver,” said the party chief.

“Civilian rulers could not face generals because they were morally corrupt,” he explained.

“If the PTI succeeds in winning the next general elections, it will meet people’s aspirations.”

Replying a query, the chairman said, “The rally in Karachi will be decisive and will present a serious challenge to our political rivals.

“It will justify our struggle against the conventional politics of the two larger parties — the PPP and PML-N.”

When asked about his leaders leaving the party, Khan said: “A political party is like a train where people come and go.”

However, he could not substantiate the reasons why some PTI seasoned workers were not happy with him and left the party recently.  Various “politicians” have approached Khan to form a political venture in a bid to pile up pressure against the incumbent government, he revealed.

“Our message is clear. Let’s stand united to save the country.”

The PTI leaders told The Express Tribune that any new decision regarding party membership will be taken in the next meeting expected to be held by the end of this month. “We are still following the policy of wait and see since politics in the country is taking new turns with every passing day,” said PTI Central Information Secretary Umer Cheema.

Asset declaration

Meanwhile, the CEC in its 14-point agenda has decided to constitute a committee which will examine assets of politicians.

Senior lawyer Hamid Khan will head this committee. A petition will be filed with the Supreme Court for the registration of voters in accordance with their permanent addresses while another petition will be filed for the registration of votes of overseas Pakistanis.

The PTI lawyers will also hold a convention for assigning responsibility to its workers for monitoring the voters’ registration process.

The party in its CEC meeting also decided that a committee will be nominated to address the complaints of substantial corruption being levelled against party leaders.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th,  2011.