25% of tickets to go to young members: Imran Khan

PTI chairman says PTI will implement a uniform education system throughout the country.

PESHAWAR:

In efforts to bring “real change” in Pakistani politics, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will assign its youth candidates at least 25% representation in the next general election.

Addressing an annual Insaf Students Federation (ISF) convention, PTI chairman Imran Khan said on Thursday that members under the age of 35 would be given at least a quarter of the party’s representation.

“We are going to build a new Pakistan, where a poor man’s son can also become prime minister of the country. The era of Zardari and Nawaz has come to an end and when the time comes we will make them accountable for each penny they have shifted abroad,” said Imran.

More than 5,000 students from various colleges and universities participated in the convention held in the provincial metropolis.

Imran, while addressing the students, said PTI had provided a platform for the underprivileged youth of the country, adding that anyone could contest in the intra-party elections.

“In other political parties, if your family name lacks Sharif or Bhutto you will never be given a leadership role in politics. Only PTI will give you such an opportunity.”

The chairman of PTI, which currently has no representation in parliament, accused the leaders of major political parties of looting and plundering national wealth and investing in foreign countries.

“Once we come into power, we will ask from Asif Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Asfandyar Wali and Fazlur Rahman how they accumulated their wealth.”

Solution to Militancy

“PTI will abolish the colonial black law—Frontiers Crime Regulations—in tribal areas,” said Imran on Thursday, providing a solution that in his mind would help end militancy in the country.

Imran added that if his party came to power they would build a new relation with the tribal people and implement a local government system in the tribal areas which protects the traditions and cultural values of tribesmen.

Student politics

Imran also reiterated his party’s stance on implementing a uniform education system throughout the country.

“The rich man’s son and poor man’s son will study the same syllabus,” said the PTI chief, adding that his party will work to eradicate the gun culture amongst the youth.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2012.