LAHORE:
Imran Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman, has postponed his scheduled two-week visit to the United States, said Shafqat Mehmood, the party’s central information secretary, on Tuesday.
“At a time when the political situation in the country is fluid and anything can happen anytime, it is better for the party chairman to stay in the country,” said Mehmood while talking to reporters.
He said Khan had postponed his plans to give impetus to the anti-government campaign against loadshedding and rising inflation. There were no meetings with US officials scheduled during the two-week trip, he said, adding that the visit had been planned to raise funds for the party and Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital. Khan will lead the Gujranwala rally on Thursday (tomorrow).
The party has recently finished its country-wide membership drive. Mehmood said that the party was hopeful that it would achieve the four million-member target it had set. Counting will start soon, said a party official. According to the PTI, it currently has 1.6 million members.
The party will start planning for intra-party elections after Ramazan. It has set up an election commission, headed by Justice (retired) Wajihuddin Ahmed. The members will choose office bearers and then elect candidates for the next elections.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 4th, 2012.
COMMENTS (45)
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Not a day passes when Imran does not foul mouth US. Now he wants to head to US to take US taxpayers money for his election...I ask you! What double standards does this man have?!!
@Raj - USA:
Given the hate-mongering from Pakistani politicians and their followers, many often wonder why Imran Khan would want to visit the USA. He criticizes the USA -- and also India -- at every available opportunity, yet loves to visit both these countries. Money and self-aggrandizing ego trips can be a strong motivation. But if these Pakistanis are true to their word, they would not visit both countries where they are, anyway, not welcomed.
Is this the guy who spends most of his time bad mouthing the USA --- guess he shares one thing in common with the other politicians -- begs for money from the same people he's bad mouthing.
@Usman: hhahhaa,don't you remember Punjab university where he tried to runaway from police was beaten by student and thrown out like garbage,at least none of the mentioned leader did that BB just got killed during revolution against Musharraf,when your leader was under house arrest negotiating with Army,Nawaz Sharif how much i hate him but he also did something against Musharraf.Zardari stayed in jail for 10yrs,nothing was proved against him in those 10yrs,even those who filed these charges were partners when he moved against Musharraf,he saved Pakistan when there was uproar of "na khappe Pakistan'.can you explain what Imran Khan did against dictator Musharraf other than negotiating number of seats IN 2002 election(when unsuccessful started abusing him) .
@Zaffar: What is wrong in callng "a spade a spade" ? A 'Tiger' remains a tiger no matter what you call him and a tiger just can not become a humanbeing and lacks human intellect and I for one do not wish any Tigers or Talibans or their supporters or defenders represent me in any capacity on any forum.
@Raj - USA: I fully agree
Why has the US not suspended Mr Khan's VISA or does he have a green-card ?
@Babbarsher Khan
Why are you suggesting that his name should be put on "No Fly List", what did he do to you or people of Pakistan ?????. He opposes US Aid only because it does not help the ordinary Pakistani, it helps the corrupt politicians who scoop the aid money and in return act as American stooge. Secondly, he collects charity from overseas Pakistanis and by doing so he is not inviting foreign interference in his part affairs.
@Tariq: Yes there are thousands of problem in India also. But ET does not report on these !!!!!!!
As for my personal likes and dislikes, I love Urdu language (I have said so in one of my comments many months ago), like many aspects of the cultures in Pakistan but totally dislike many of the practices there.
As for your earlier comment that US Ambassador visits IK. May be, but it does not matter in USA. in India, US Ambassador visits Narendra Modi (your favorite punch bag in Pakistan). But Narendra Modi was denied US visa though he also has a chance of becoming India's Prime Minister.
@Raj, I think you should stop worrying about Pakistan and Imran Khan and his associations. He knows what is best for his country. There are thousands of problem in India which might need your attention
@MAD: What I had said, I had said it earlier, even much before the Sheikh Rashid incidence and after the incident.
Shahrukh Khan also had visited many times before without any problem. Then he started having problems. The reason was that some of those who had organized his trips were suspected to be involved in havala transactions. Earlier visits to USA without problem means nothing. It takes some time for Homeland Security in USA to place someone on the watch list. Once you are in it, it is very difficult to get your name out of the list. It takes a long time. IK's glorifying Diffa-e-Pakistan with his attending in their rallies, standing in the podium with their other leaders, wearing their cap, and most recently his alliance with Munawar Hasan, all have raised several flags, not only in USA but also in UK. USA is totally different. Here even our Vice President and senior leaders go through the same process. I have seen many times, 80 year olds, in wheel chairs and not able to get up without assistance, being screened. Only those who have lived here for many years can understand it. In addition to the Homeland Security, airlines also maintain their own list of names to watch. I personally know of a 5 year old girl who was mistakenly included in the watch list of an airlines. Every time, her parents would be allowed to pass through airport security, but that little girl would be pulled off for further screening. Her name got removed automatically after about 3-4 years. Probably, the airlines review their lists periodically.
@Moulvi Nawaz Shareef: I wish it was as easy to stop crying when you sit there and watch helplessly your people in desparation looking upto charlatans to come up and deliver and save them. It's something sad and makes one cry when people expect such confused and lost souls for guidance and help, such (mis)leaders like this biggest friend of our biggest enemes the Talibans and their hired guns to inflict terrorism on us.
If he can pull off these party elections It would the best thing happened to Pak politics. Other parties will follow suit and that can only be a good thing for pak politics.
Well done Imran on this? Hopefully you can deliver as you promised!
Good Move !
@Uza Syed: Stop crying
Well Done Khan Sahib we wanted like that.
very well done... good luck PTI...
One thing I.K has learnt since he became politician and he is quite successful in it is how to fool people with STATEMENTSProving Leadership With Managerial Skill. Vision and Proper Strategic Skill To Make Shift From Feudal Governering To Civilian Responsible Governing. Looks Like Other Main Stream Parties Must Follow. Change, Now. Imran Is Showing Good Leadership Ability. Than You Imran.
More like the case that US did not issue him Visas on the time !
Did he get USA visa? Or he doesn't need one?
He hasn't postponed. The organisers refused to host him sighting his pro-militant stance. For details please have a look on the twitter timeline of @tarekFatah
The situation in Pakistan requires him to stay at home. Due to his clean record, and charisma, people will donate even if he is not physically present in the US. You can not stop the Tsunami.
When you need "them" then you don't go around spitting venom against "them" ----- this time this veiled Taliban guy is told politely not to come------ NEXT------I fear the next step is going to be even more drastic-------- NAMELY------- "they" might inform their citizens that the government of their chosen 'new-home-land' warns them against financing anyone with whatever sympathies for a veiled or exposed Taliban neither for a charity or a political agenda (both easily interchangeable as history will prove)-----THEN------ the "Homeland-Security" considerations kick in and we all know the ultimate. For God sake, Mr. Taliban Khan take your politics whereever you like, just leave this poor country alone we do not need you to pretend being a clever guy and fool all the people all the time.
Man without any logic & reasoning!
Real Tiger
If PTI can pull off inter-party elections in a fair manner, it would be a great achievement, specially for a party that has such a large member base (certainly bigger than JI). PTI will be a trend setter in Pakistan in this regard. On a side note, the number quoted above (1.6MM) is only for SMS based memberships and does not include the physical enrollments.
@rah - USA mate wake up he never associated himself with diffa-e-pakistan and usa is also not a peice of paradise
Imran Khan Should announce Open Fund Raising for the Party and Coming election. He does not need to go anywhere , Inshallah People will themselves deposit Billions for the party and election campaign.
@Raj - USA: you really are talking out of a place other than your mouth. i think he already has visited USA few months ago last. Oh and btw Ejaz Chaudhry who actually attended those DPC meetings from PTI just toured the USA with no problems.
Going to US for fundraising for a good cause is not a harm, but better he should first focus on upcoming election which is a higher good cause then this for the future of Pakistan.
Yesterdays news that GLOC is opening. Today: 'Khan had postponed his plans to give impetus to the anti-government campaign against loadshedding and rising inflation.' What about this re-opening? Nothing.
He is THE LEADER Pakistan needs at this critical juncture in its history. LONG LIVE PTI
IK postponed his trip to US..good for Pakistan..Not good for me at all..I was waiting for my leader for a long time..Why IK just why??
We are with Imran Khan!!
Man with a mission.
He knows what happened to Sheikh Rashid during his recent visit to USA. He does not want to get embarrassed. Neither the Army or the Government in Pakistan will come to his aid now. His association with Diffa-e-Paksitan has caused him Dafa from USA.
best for this confuse leader is to grow and take independent decisions
I've only seen this happen in Western democracies, where a leader stays close to home in times of crisis. In times of crises, we're more used to our leaders fleeing the country (zardari, nawaz, bb all did it).
IK is different, whether you like him or not.
After shooting down drones, US won’t allow him to raise funds. He should visit US before sweeping the elections, and kicking out US from the region
Great work PTI. It is time for all PTI members to participate in the intra-party election and choose our candidates. This is unique and first time opportunity to directly elect leadership. PTI all the way