In defiance from its insistence on allowing only ‘clean’ politicians in its ranks, the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf has said that its doors are open to all but only those with ‘good reputations’ will be given election tickets.
“People see PTI as the torch-bearer of political change in Pakistan. Therefore, we will welcome everyone but the parliamentary board will award tickets only on merit,” PTI chief Imran Khan said on Thursday, while addressing a press conference at his home in Lahore’s upscale residential area Zaman Park, organised to announce the induction of as many as 36 former Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid members, ranging from MNAs and MPAs to union council nazims from Sheikhupura district.
Merit, he said, was a good reputation in the person’s constituency, which should make him/her the ‘ideal’ candidate for winning the election.
Speaking about Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Imran said that PTI had sent Qureshi an invitation to join but the former PPP stalwart was yet to make a decision. Earlier, PTI’s Sindh leadership had claimed that Qureshi joining the PTI was a ‘done deal’.
Imran was also careful to state that despite the induction of new, ‘heavyweight’ politicians, PTI’s old workers will remain as central to the party as ever.
PML-N alliance
Calling the PML-N’s opposition a pretence, Khan ruled out the possibly of his PTI allying with the Nawaz league and also with the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party.
The PML-N also seems anything but keen on joining forces with PTI. “Imran is a puppet of the establishment, which is patronising him for its ulterior motives,” Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told reporters in Faisalabad.
He said that PML-N’s November 20 rally in Faisalabad’s historical Dhobi Ghat will pull a record-breaking number of people.
(With additional reporting by Shamsul Islam in Faisalabad)
Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2011.
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@Prita Kulkarni: I also think that he is being wise and prudent to state that only honest candidates with “clean records” will be allowed to run in his PTI party.
OK, going a bit overboard with the adjectives, aren't we? What else will any leader state about their own party? Isn't it the first rule of politics that their own party is clean/greatest/bestest thing since the sun started shining, while others are corrupt/incompetent/traitorous, etc.
Words are cheap and free -- it's what Imran actually does that counts. Until then, let's spare the wisdom and prudence crown.
I admire Imran for his dedication, hard work, persistence and honesty to an extent. But he seems to be too eager to be in power- kind of an indication of lacking in vision on his part. How can he lead thoroughly corrupt and morally bankrupt masses?
@saleem altaf: My friend...generalizations are not helpful...if you give us names of corrupt leaders in PTI, we PTI followers can follow-up on it and make enough fuss about it to close the gaps. Looking at the core leadership team, what you are saying is unlikely.My personal experience interacting with PTI representation in US has been that they are really honest and sincere people. However, it is quite possible that the corrupt ones are one-offs and we definitely should work on addressing those.
@saleem altaf: Hmmm....this is interesting. So IK is doing some "Traditional" political posturing after all. This doesn't surprise me, because he is a politician.
imran khan,This is good but with due respect i personally knew corrupt people in your party.They make money on illegal way and now they are called them self 'Mr clean' Can they declare their assets ?
I do think that this is a good political move on IK;s part. I know that he needs to craft strategic alliances with other parties in order to have the power to govern were his party to be elected to Parliament in Islamabad in 18 months. I also think that he is being wise and prudent to state that only honest candidates with "clean records" will be allowed to run in his PTI party. However, I do feel that this will drastically reduce the number of candidates who do run in this political party. This is good because it will bring "fresh blood" to Pakistani politics, and (possibly) much needed change in politics, democracy, investment, and the economy.
@Arshad: if you dont know the answer to those questions ..dont worry vote for nawaz sharif im sure everything will turn out fine....NOT
Everyone in Pakistan votes, election commision doest look at your corruption record
"Good reputation" is quite a come down from "clean".
"Good reputation in the constituency" just sounds like a euphemism for whoever is likely to win from that constituency. In any case, the criteria is kept purposefully hazy to allow lots of leeway at election time to give tickets to whoever has the best chance of winning.
What happens to others who don't get the tickets -- they'll setup new factions of the party PTI(Q), PTI(Jinnah), etc.
Observation: After they get the tickets and are elected, the elected politicians will become corrupt. Logical Corollary: Better to give ticket to corrupt people, so the honest can stay honest.
There are no angels in Pakistan but as long as PTI can bring the country out of this war and revive the economy, people will tolerate some corruption.
Imran Khan's past is not "clean' either.
So it means Mahmood Urrasheed, Ejaz Chauhdry, Mian Azhar, Abdul Aleem Khan, Farooq Amjad Meer, Shahid Akram Bhinder, Aftab Khan, Jazy Khan, Zaheer Abbas Khokhar and tens of tunrcoats of PMLQ to name a few will not be given ticket? Who will win for PTI then? For they are being inducted in PTI claiming as "electable candidates". They are known criminals and PTI electable at the same time. What a perfect blend.
Awww :P Means Imran Khan himself will hold 100% of tickets :P No other candidates whatsoever :D
Great move by Imran. I hope many disappointment people are happy now.
Imran Khan may not be able to find all clean candidates and there is no certainty that only clean ones would win until there is a total Imran wave that whom so ever is given ticket wins as happened with late Indira Gandhi in India. To my mind the best coarse for him is to be more practical with a mixed bag of candidates, win a simple majority and select ministers with a clean image to give a good governance in Pakistan.
1) Who will be the next PM, if Shah Mahmood joins PTI? No doubt, IK will be the PM...whoever joins PTI...
2) Was there any election in PTI in last 15 years? There should be elections, PTI is growing and I am sure it will have ..... honestly, do you think other than will be elected at least for now.
3) They only get tickets to clean people around, good… but will they accept the votes of corrupt people? No one is "masoom" or perfect but we know IK has everything that one leader should have....yeh sure, we don't corrupt people votes, are you in?
4) Only financial corruption should be eliminated? what about the moral, legal, political corruptions??
Agreed, But the moral thing is something personal.....
@Arshad:
point by point response (as far as my knowledge goes)
1) Imran Khan (If SMQ doesnt like it than he can go elsewhere and be number 12 in the party instead of number 2 or 3) 2) Elections have been held on a regional level. I believe IK was elected to his position in 2006 (although i do agree fresh elections are due) . However PML(N) just held an election in which all candidates were unopposed. PPP's positions are passed on in the form of inheritence. 3) Everyone has the right to vote in Pakistan. 4) That comes hand in hand. The others are in the end interlinked to corruption. Ofcourse personal lives of individuals do not fall under this ambit and they shouldnt.
There Arshad you only had to wait an hour. I trust you will make the right decision when casting yoru vote. But whoever you vote for please do cast your vote and fulfil your duty.
hey thats the way to go dont worry smq is going to join pti on 27th which is my wedding anniversary so i could never be wrong.imran next pm house will be zaman park.
We Trust Imran Khan
Can anyone (suppoter of PTI) resolve few of queries: 1) Who will be the next PM, if Shah Mahmood joins PTI? 2) Was there any election in PTI in last 15 years? 3) They only get tickets to clean people around, good... but will they accept the votes of corrupt people? 4) Only financial corruption should be eliminated? what about the moral, legal, political corruptions??
Waiting for your response..
good move PTI......we are all with you and anticipating a historical change in our filthy political system...May ALLAH bless them
A person can be clean or he can be a politician he can't be both
imran khan zindabad
IK should save himself from IK ego.
Smart political decision it will increase PTI vote bank throughout pakistan. 1) PTI will have 3 to 4 candidates choice in a single constituency to choose from. Then PTI will be able to nominate a clean & corruption free candidate from every contituency of pakistan for next general elections. 2) Tickets would only be given to those candidates who sincerely declare their assets & are corruption free.