“The 20th Amendment was just passed by the PPP and PML-N to strengthen their hold on power and to prevent PTI from sweeping the next general elections,” said Khan.
Strongly rejecting the amendment, Khan said that PML-N continues to support the wrongdoings of the government so that both the PPP and PML-N could have a share in the corrupt power structures prevailing at present.
Calling it a fraud and violation of the Constitution and democratic principles, Imran said the amendment condones elections carried out against the provisions of the Constitution.
“A complete fraud has been committed by the government in collusion with the main opposition party,” Imran stated.
Khan alleged that Rs366.1 million were released in a matter of five hours for Senators, simply to get the 20th Amendment through the Senate, however the release of development or relief funds was prevented and delayed because of corruption and bribery.
PML-N, however, rejected the allegations stating that the statements made by PTI shows their lack of knowledge regarding the historic amendment. “PTI should respect the Parliament’s decision by following democratic norms,” said PML-N leader Senator Mushahidullah Khan. “Imran Khan should read the content of the 20th Amendment first and then issue such a statement,” he added.
Election Commission of Pakistan
Criticising the Election Commission of Pakistan’s right to choose caretaker prime minister and chief minister, Imran said the election commissions are meant to maintain a check over governments during elections and to ensure non-interference and neutrality.
“If ECP appoints a caretaker government, it will divest itself from performing the task of ensuring free, fair and transparent elections,” Imran added.
COMMENTS (60)
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20th AMENDMENT HAS BEEN MADE TO GIVE COVERAGE to the members elected on the basis of fraudulent lists of voters who mostly belong to PPP. and PML(N). This is the result of compromise between both parties. The Interim Government will be formed by mutual consent and agreement between both the parties. They will definitely choose Interim Prime Minister and other ministers by mutual consent who wil be their faourites and will support them in the coming elections. Other parties specially those who have no reprentation in the current parliament will be the worst sufferers. As a matter of fact this is the beginning of fraudulent practice of winning the coming elections. Similarly the Chief Election Commissioner will also be appointed with the consent of these two parties and he will also not be a neutral person. They have thus made an alliance to win the elections through foul means of which they are accustomed as they cannot afford free and fair elections. All the parties whether they are in or out of the parliament must be consulted before forming Interim government otherwise there wil be anrchy in the country and a situation of 1977 elections will be created. CEC should also be appointed with the consultation of all parties including PTI and Jamat Islami and all oter parties. This is very important for free and fair elections.
PPP and nawaz partys are not for Pakistanis they should understand last. 30 years they are in power what they have done for people of Pakistan specially Sind and Baluchistan people of Pakistan should vote to imran khan bcoz he is real Pakistani after baba Jinnah we have gifted by Allah ji so respect him plz
2othe amendment is a farce in the name of independent election commission.How a care taker set up will remain neutral when it is appointed by government and opposition leader in the parliament.Imran khan is right, this amendment has been passed just to stop PTI from coming into powerb but this will not happen as the performance of the so called opposition and government is really bad and people are fed up with the family politics in Pakistan. Their businesses and properties are increasing day and night while the rest of the country(people) are becoming poor.
Ok lets retrace what just happened. A few years back a deal was cut which allowed criminals to contest elections. A few principled parties boycotted the elections. On top of this 45% of the votes cast were fake. What legitimacy does this parliament have? How do the parties in this parliament have the right to take this decision while excluding the other stakeholders who had boycotted the proven farcical elections?
@ik: Send them on Hajj just like how Ataturk did
@American: This is Pakistan where scum rises to the top
@Sadia:
Clearly you have to watch less 'Humsafar' and more news. Nobody has talked on policies and solutions more than Imran. If you dig, you will find. Or else you can let yourself be fed the same old rhetoric that the media feeds you.
How can we get rid of Nawaz & Zarsari forever apart from prayers?
To me Imran Khan is not a leader even he is not a politician, he is just a cricketer……..He has not yet announced a clear description of policies to bring the change in this country……..I have never seen him talking on key features to revive the economic condition, how to revive the water and energy policies, how will be our foreign policy, wot would be its key features……..and most important thing he never talked on security matter except war on terror….how will he control army, what will he do on Kargil Operation, role of army in Politics, wot he thinks on Abbotabad operation and mehran base attacks………nothing he didnt said anything…its just his slogan of change dat wil never bring change in the country……
It's funny to see people still believe that anything done in Pakistan is for the good of masses. The fact is creation of Pakistan itself was the biggest fraud that allowed the lowest of the low in the sub continent to create mischief in the region. No matter how many amendments or changes they bring Pakistan is on the verge of breakup.
the question is that; how one earth can one expect any good from these PPP and PMLN???....
@Maryam: Read that 10th reply from the top. An appointing authority will not, and cannot find anything wrong in their appointed subjects. Simple, basic rule of successful management. When EC appoints the caretaker PM and CMs, how the heck do you expect them to keep an eye on their own people? That too in an EC that has no legal authority that to exercise in case it finds someone favouring one party or another. A policeman never exposes his own, a doctor never exposes his own, a politician never exposes his own (unless they all derive personal benefit from it). So why would the Election Commission expose its own appointed caretaker setup when something is going wrong?
So the real question is...Why can you not see this?
Leader of a party who has 0% representation in NA/Senate calls this 20th amendment a wrong one; this irritates me. A few successful heavily-sponsored jalsaas are making these youngsters overconfident. I would recommend to Kaptaan-sahib to first earn some seats in NA; then criticize others. I doubt your intentions because of those recent add-ups in your party. All the lotaas, turncoats and fake-degree holders are now an integral part of your party. You couldn't produce a real awami-leader in last 15 years of your political career, and today you talk about changing the system in 90 days. LOL~
360 million rupees given away to these senators 5 hours after the passage. Un-freakin-believable, and still we have the blind stooges of this govt defending this.
Some one please explain why Senators that are selected and dont have a constituency (including Rehman Malik) and are to retire in 10 days need Rs366.1 million in "Development funds".... And what happened to all PML N demands from two weeks ago, Zardari as president, Financial autonomy for ECP and Interim setup only with opposition consent.
How come all ruling parties claim rigging in By polls and AJK election are ready to take part in polls under the same setup. How can elections on bogus rolls and with and incomplete ECP be called "valid". Could an APC be called on this very important issue.??
How stupid do they think we are....
I really enjoyed a comment above in which the fan club member mentioned both PPP and PMLN as rejected parties. If I remember correctly it was PTI which was rejected in 2008 when its leader's boycott call was rejected by masses. Any good words for me now bacha jamhooraas ;)
@QB:
You are asking Pakistanis to wake up? You kidding right? We should be paying tribute to ourselves for how amazingly we have managed to sleep soundly with "no electricity, no safety, no justice, no education, overwhelming poverty and plight of ordinary men" and, if I may, no water, no social security, no work opportunities, no petrol, no CNG, dying industry, overwhelming debt, losing Baluchistan, no income, high prices.... Long list of problems but hey at least we have our beloved politicians with foreign residences luxuriously furnished awaiting their arrival after Pakistan collapses.
But no, Imran is wrong as he is too unrealistic because he talks to change our corrupt system which sounds astonishing because corruption is a normal for us now. JI, naah, they are too religious as last 10 years taught us, anyone & everyone who talks about religion or has a beard is not trustworthy and a threat. Good Job Pakistan. We are definitely getting there!
All those people who support Imran Khan should support this 20th Amendment Bill because it will be this Bill which will ensure Free & Fair Election in 2013. That is what Imran Khan want and that is what his supporters want. May be someone may misguided Imran Khan but you should not be misguided by Imran Khan statement. I am sure if Imran Khan have supported this 20th Amendment then you all may have supported as well. But now he did not support for reasons known only to Allah so that is why you don't support this 20th Amendment Bill. In fact This bill will ensure Free, Fair and Transparent Election never every happened in this country of ours.
It is so sad to see guys critisizing IK for saying the truth. Commn' guys don't you know how the interests of few are being protected here. Don't you all want the change. These old big wigs are consolidating their positions. PML-N and PPP are the same when it comes to lust for power. Everything becomes fair for them. Please wake up. Its time for change. Otherwise noone should have the right to complain about no electricity, no safety, no justice, no eduction, overwhelming poverty and plight of ordinary men. If nothing else, we know these guys have been in power for decades and look where we are.Pleae wake up now.
After reading the comments against khan i got a shocked why peoples are not thinking for the Pakistan. If we take a history for PPP and PML-N they are only looting our country
Why not we are trying Imran Khan as prime minister because this is the only man and his who is corruption proof
So guys if we want to Pakistan then IK is the only person will save Pakistan
election commission to elect caretaker prime minister is such a farce.....
why people r so gullible.... President elects the caretaker government because he is supposed to be a non-political person but in our case it is Mr. Zardari, the co-chairman of PPP. This is unconstitutional.... why is PML-N not objecting against this blatant violation of constitution but instead it is totally in collusion with PPP and giving Mr. Zardari a cover in the name of 20th amendment....
Alas not enough pakistanis r waking up to this fraud by this status quo.....
The 20th amendment does not include an independent ECP - end of story!
n a local news it was found by an international organization that the Gilani's government is the most corrupt government ever ruled Pakistan (8500 billion rupees). If there is a slightest chance that Gilani and Zardari are involved in corruption. They should be sued for TREASON and not for corruption. Please see an example what lawyers did to the Germany's President Christian Wulff for receiving small freebies from a businessman. Regards.
Pakistan & its political cartoons.
Why not pass another amendment to delay the elections for a little while. By then we might not have Baluchistan and ECP & our Politicians will have less "hard work" to do for the betterment of the People of Pakistan, well the remaining Pakistan?
What a shame. So many challenges but the politicians are playing the same music!
So what actually all these anti-PTI people want to say is that earlier the procedure to elect care taker govt. wasn't transparent & unbiased then why it matters if it hasn't got better now...GET A LIFE you all..!!
Hes so true! Y release so many funds now when the ppl have been dying from poverty. I dont feel sorry for pakis they deserve it! Soon balochistan n kashmir will b free
I have no doubt now that PPP and PML N are one and same....
Here is IK's complete statement (parts of which have been published here):
http://insaf.pk/News/tabid/60/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/10092/Imran-Khan-rejects-20th-amendment-terms-it-violation-to-the-spirit-of-constitution-and-democratic-principles.aspx
The complete statement makes much more sense than the edited one that is shared by ET here.
Seriously Imran's criticism is baseless. Besides government and opposite, which third party should be responsible for election commission?
Why did such an important piece of legislation (as the PML-N is making it out to be) was not debated anywhere, neither in the media nor on the floor of the house? Instead what we saw was a closed door negotiation between some members of two of the parties in the national assembly and then a UNANIMOUS approval by the houses. This is a mockery of democratic values. I say if PTI has such serious reservations about this amendment and the election process, they should come to the streets along with like-minded parties to demand removal of Zardari as without him gone there can not be a fair election...
IK is not against the amendment but the way it has been implemented and just look at the Leaders who are implementing this amendment. they became the part of Government with the support of NRO (in other words "License to kill") ....
& ET, why do you give so much attention for everything silly that Kaptaan Sabah says? At least. When you know that it's obvious & absolute silly, Instead of showing in the headlines, you can hide it some where in a corner!
Confused Kaptaan is good for cricket, but some how he has become the ball of the establishment. He should read or ask his Jewish wife to make him understand about the amendment, as she's the only one whom he trusts! Rest of the world is conspiring against him!
OMG i cant believe what im reading here in the comments, Dont you see what happened here?? Zardari has been legitimized as president here! and the by poll s elected MPs on fake electoral roles were legitimized by this draft. how can you fool urself? how can ECP be independant to elect caretaker setup when its under the president and the parliament! wake up people u are once again fooled by the 2 main parties
Yes Kaptaan is correct! 20th amendment is a conspiracy hatched against a party had has zero representation in the Parliament.
I think Imran Khan want The President to select a caretaker government and want the current government of Gilani to select 5-member Election Commission without the consent of the opposition!! This was what the previous arrangement was before the 20th Amendment Bill but now the changed scenario is more encouraging as explained by @maryam in her second post!!
Ugh.... reading the above comments, I'll assume these are loyal fans of PML/PPP and just ignore it. Seriously, Pakistan finally gets a real leader, an intellectual able to debate with the best around the world, who has shown vision in the past and this is how they treat him, unbelievable.
I don't get how a country could be absolute crap, with the most corrupt rulers, and still have such a huge ego that they don't like the "egotism" of a genuine leader.
@Kashif Iqbal: And who is your alternate? Dare to name him?
Imran Khan is wise to be concerned. PML-N and PPP's only tend to converge when their power is at stake.
Khan is absolutely right this amendment is only to safeguard the interests of two main corrupt and rejected political parties because they want to continue the status quo and the evil system but even then this amendment was not passed without buying the senators by giving them massive funds to just pass an amendment.
Previously it would have been the President to elect the caretaker government while now it is to be jointly approved by the governing party (ruling coalition) and opposition parties (All opposition parties). This should be encouraged as a healthy departure from the past elections and this guarantees an independent caretaker government. Similarly with this 20th Amendment, the Election Commission is more empowered (which i suppose Imran Khan would also want) to be independent and conduct free and fair election first time in the history of Pakistan. I cannot understand why Imran Khan is against this Landmark Amendment in the history of parliamentary democracy of Pakistan, sorry I cannot comprehend?
Everything in the world is against PTI :D This so-called leader makes me laugh sometimes.
One comment by 'Maryam' and another by 'Nawaz' ...LOL
This 'angry young man' is rightfully angry because when ECP appoints a PM and CMs then it is ofcourse not going to keep a check on them (which is their actual job). Even after this amendment, the ECP is effectively bound and chained.
A free and independent election commission requires 1. fully autonomous financial controls over itself, 2. public access to all it's records 3. the powers to penalise, change and keep a check on the election staff at the grassroots level 4. the lawful authority to scrutinize every aspect of a candidate's nomination papers, asset declarations etc, and impose penalties where required.
Such are the laws required for a free and independent election commission.
It's too bad the PTI doesn't have any representation in the senate, something Mr. Khan should be focusing on right now. I am personally not a fan of egotism that Mr. Khan spews with every word he says. A truly strong party will be able to weep the polls regardless of all odds, the will people always have the last say. A fair and transparent caretaker government will not harm the PTI.
@Nawaz: @Maryam: both of you. Point out how election commission is supposed to be impartial towards own stated interim government.
I do not agree with khans vision and agenda but this is true they join hands and sit together when there own interests are at risk, PML N is deceiving nation very badly
I think what he means is that the contents of the amendment is not wrong but the spirit behind it. Spirit being an election patch up between two parties! Learn to read behind the lines please!
To criticize 20th amendment is akin to being against free and fair elections. ECP will be the freest and most independent agency and since caretaker govt’s sole purpose is to hold the election it comes under the ambit of the commission. 20th amendment strengthens democracy in Pakistan. Imran Khan should be happy with this it. He should instead talk about the politicised police that can be used against him in the next election.
prepare for elections dont wasit your and others time
Is there some one to read-out and teach the contents of the 20th Amendment Bill to this angry young man? Oh, but first give him some elementary lessons in Parliamentary Politics!