Behind the scenes: PTI fears underhand pact on interim set-up
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan on Tuesday cast doubts over the mechanism for appointing an interim prime minister and reignited fears that the ruling party and the opposition were working out an underhand agreement on the issue.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, PTI Chairman Imran Khan asked the government to take all political parties into confidence before finalising the final name for the interim prime minister. “All political actors should be consulted for caretaker arrangements for holding free and fair elections in the country,” said PTI chairman.
“I’m afraid the PPP and the PML-N will cut an underhand deal on this important matter,” he said. According to the PTI leader, both the rival parties were close to clinching a deal on an interim set-up without consulting other political players.
He also expressed serious concerns over the government’s apparent attempts to delay general elections in the country. “We strongly oppose any attempt to delay or suspend general elections in the country,” the PTI chief said. In response to a question, Imran said the ruling regime is afraid of PTI’s rising popularity among the masses and hence wants to go to the elections through special arrangements.
Waziristan peace march
Imran Khan announced that he would hold the much-hyped PTI peace march to South Waziristan on October 6. The march is seen as the first-ever practical step by a political party to engage the war-hit tribal people in dialogue. According to him, it is the only viable solution to give an end to the ongoing “US waged” war on terror. “We have only one option…that is to engage tribal people in negotiations,” Imran said.
He also strongly opposed the proposed army operation in North Waziristan and said that any new adventure in the region would undermine the country’s security at large. PTI would broker “peace treaties” with the local people to restore peace in the region, he added.
Sectarian killings
Comprehending the humming of some “internationally hatched conspiracy” behind the recent killings of Shia community in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, Imran Khan said apparently there were no divisions among various Muslim sects living in the area but some “foreign hands” were involved in the unrest.
It has also bolstered sectarian divides in the country that is resulting in ever-increasing incidents of targeted killings of Shias. “During my visit to Gilgit-Baltistan, I found a sense of insecurity among Shia Muslims. They are afraid. And the same is the case with Balochistan,” Imran remarked.
Legal notice to PML-N leader Khawaja Asif
Imran Khan said his party has served notice to PML-N leader Khawaja Asif for baseless allegations of corruption in Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2012.
COMMENTS (19)
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@Acorn Guts: Do you ever get out of your house dude? While these people do come from within us and do exist within us, the average Pakistani citizen has nothing to do with sectarianism in any form, let alone murdering shias.
Why should his party be consulted ? The party is yet to gain votes. Until PTI stands in the elections and proves its legitimacy, it is considered a one man party. He has no claim to be included the care taker government discussion.
What next, A fringe Taliban party also claiming the same role as PTI? What PTI has showed to PAK so far was impressive gatherings on political meetings. Gatherings are not votes.
Every party in PAK assumes that they are the savior and showed their legitimate claim by gaining votes in their constituency. How many votes did PTI get by boycotting the election?
"Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan on Tuesday cast doubts over the mechanism for appointing an interim prime minister and reignited fears that the ruling party and the opposition were working out an underhand agreement on the issue"
If the ruling party and its allies were working with the opposition to decide who should be in interim government, why would that [rocess be described as underhand? You chose not to contest elections in 2008 and subsequently lost some of the byelections you did contest resulting in no representation in the Parliament. For someone who hopes to lead the new government based on people's votes, you need to show a little more respect for the current representatives that people have selected.
why does Imran khan nt understand that there were already 13 peace deals held with them but they then broke it,, the only solution to end this is to invite United Nations peace force to come and work with tribals as Army have lost the credibility and do not have the skills to defeat them.. also all militants organisation should be banned in pakistan and law shud be made to take strict action against those who is supporting them
@Umer:
whether or not the elections were a drama is inconsequential, imran had made up his mind way before that he would boycott. the elections were held in a transparent manner, and any charges of rigging should have been addressed to the ECP.
Let him handle the Wagiristan issue only then he will qualify for being a part of care taker govt.
Government Alliance, PML(N) and JUI(F) are representatives of more than 95% of Pakistan. Remaining 5% are PTI, JI and Extremists. Imran Khan should have taken part atleast in one bye election to prove percentage of voters he represents. Care taker set up discussions should be made only with real politicians, not actors like him.
@Bhatti: Agreed, let the critics live in their world of ignorance but we are committed to bring change and make Imran our next PM. No matter what people say but Imran is way better than any other political figure in Pakistan today - no doubt Imran has many deficiencies still better than others. I will be voting for Imran and I am also campaigning to convince as many people as possible to come out and vote for Imran.
Don't worry IK. we are with you. Pakistan is changing & CHANGING for GOOD! I have personally arranged and registered 18 VOTES for your PARTY! and I will get them delivered to u on the day of election. 19 ppl including me would be voting for the ist time! I will do my part in bringing change... u guys do urs!
I thought he was disillusioned now I'm starting to question his sanity.
to be considered for discussion, you need to have seats / representation in provincial or national assemblies. IK has neither then why should anyone consult him???
And the waziristan march was supposed to be in sep....now its oct???? in oct it will be nov and so on
What is the similarity between PPP, PML-N, PTI and other parties: “foreign hands” were involved.
Imran khan concerns are genuine as both these parties are part of the government and trying hard to stick to it.PTI popularity is growing and they fear that PTI will become victorious in the next general election.People do not expect anything from these tried and tested parties and this time they are ready to vote PTI.It is the duty of judiciary and army to install impartial and honest caretaker set up so that level playing field is provided to all parties.
It seems like ET ate up a significant part of IK speech that Dawn did manage to capture and that was regardless of the foreign influence (if any) in this sectarian violence, Govt. is the one that is to be held responsible for ensuring peace in the area and blaming outsiders is not the solution to the problem.
Status-quo forces will do best to stop CHANGE. But Pakistan is with Imran Khan!
PTI has no right to demand any role in the appointment of caretaker govt. Boycotting elections has its consequences and Mr. Khan should be ready to face them.
PMLN has however already announced it will consult all political parties like it did during the process of appointment of CEC. So please Mr. Khan, dont play the victim card here to justify your impending humiliation in the elections.
I think these fears are not unfounded as there is no seriousness on governance by the ruling party and no opposition by the official opposition. Any collusion is possible and all parties in opposition should be cognizant of the fact.