Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan. PHOTO: PPI / FILE
LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan blamed the federal government for providing “safe haven” to terrorists responsible for the rising sectarian violence in the country.
Imran, speaking to the media on Monday, vowed that his party will eradicate terrorism when it comes into power.
“These people are destroying our country,” he said.
“The federal government is responsible. [President] Asif Zardari does not have the time to see what is happening in the country. The provincial [Punjab] government only wants to win elections so they can build a new sugar mill,” Imran added.
“In five years, nothing has improved, except their bank accounts.”
Maintaining that there can be no future of the country if terrorism is not controlled, Imran said, “The people of Karachi should not vote for parties with militant, terrorist wings.”
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People making comments about IK "u-turns, immature politician, PTI policies, not taking him seriously etc..." make me sick to my stomach and should be ashamed. What would u rather have PMLN or PPP? Please for heavens sake stop! enough is enough!
These elections aside, PTI has altered the politics in Pakistan for the better. PTI is a reality, and Khan provides an alternative the country long hoped for. People were disappointed, detached from politics and politicians. IK changed this thought process, and introduced new approach to Politics.
Whether they criticize him with extreme bitterness or criticize all his moves due to jealousy and low esteem; he is now the new face of Pakistani politics and perhaps, the way forward too. His intentions are sincere and he is not gonna leave Pak in hands of these corrupt/evil entities destroying Pak from inside and out. Unlike Moghuls of Raiwand or Sultans of Sindh he is not detached from the issues of Pak people, and knows how to prioritize them.
I've appreciated his recent comments condemning terrorists and showing solidarity with the vicitms, though note his earlier questionable comments and actions which seemed hypocritical and insincere, such as viewing the Afghan Taliban criminals as noble, willingness to hold talks with terrorist TTP (not condemning them by name), even though many of their recruits are from sectarian extremists LeJ, and all these organizations share the same hatred, ideology and openly support each other.
I do not find his current comments out of place in blaming the federal and provincial govts, however, not mentioning the military as well for creating these safe havens seems like a glaring omission.
Karachi would be so much better off if their political parties didn't have militant wings. However, due to the lack of law and order, and the rise of armed religious extremists that threatens the city, they are being seen as a necessary evil as the civil and army state fails to provide any security.
"vowed that his party will eradicate terrorism when it comes into power." I agree with him; then these people will be part of his government.
Imran is spot on. Only the bank accounts of the politicians have fattened. Everyday citizens are dying in scores across the length and breadth of Pakistan. The reality of Pakistan is fast diminishing. The USA, UK, India, Saudia and UAE are getting fat on their victories against Muslim countries like, Syria, Libya, Iraq, Tunisia, Afghanistan, and now Pakistan. My vote is for Imran Khan. Salams 2013???
"Government providing 'safe haven' to terrorists: Imran" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Spoken just like an Indian!
IK has finally started to talk sense.
@kumail: @Raza: you have already supported the terrorist groups by voting the current leaders.
Hope he shows guts to speak against taliban
Kudos to Imran for speaking against LeJ. Will he now also have the courage to speak against TTP, LeT etc?
@I want Change: "@mahakaalchakra: Have we asked you to give your advice?"
I am not mahakaalchakra but I must say I disagree with you. Pakistan's policy of giving safe haven to terrorist led to tens of thousands of deaths in the nineties in India and hundreds of thousands of Pandits becoming homeess. If the issue was internally contained and Pakistan did not export terror to India, Indians would have no reason to say anything here on the issue.
@Abbas: "There is nothing like sectarian violence in the country. Pakistan is a nation of tolerent people, people professing different faiths have lived here and continue to live in perfect harmony"
Surely you jest Sir.
Dear Mr. Khan; For talks/negotiations, both parties must feel comfortable, ergo the safe havens.
@mahakaalchakra: Have we asked you to give your advice? first get issues resolve in your country and then poke your nose into our affairs
"Government providing safe havens to terrorists"- Imran Khan
Isn't the same action by Pakistan government for which India has been accusing Pakistan since 1989?
I think Imran aka Taliban Khan should have admitted that India was correct in its accusation that "Pakistan government has been providing safe havens to Terrorists"
The entire international community has also been accusing Pakistan of providing safe havens to Terrorists.
Are u kidding me!!! Arent u the one who's been wanted to talk to these "terrorists" all along and come up with a peace plan?
Imran, please stop playing political cricket with the people of Pakistan!!!
VOTE FOR PTI!
@Adnan Siddiqi:
"Ironic isn’t it that the act of terrorism takes place in Karachi and IK still considers it obligatory to mention Punjab Government in the same breath!!!"Ironic??? Do we not suffer the same fate with terrorism happening across the globe and Pakistan maligned in the process !
Till a few years ago, only India used to make this allegation against Pakistan and Pak govt used to deny it vehemently. Now our own major political leaders are implicating the government. Admire India's foresight. Wonder how Mr Khan would have reacted if the same allegation was made by India recently. Would he support their statement?
Too bad Pakistan has only one Imran Khan; Pakistan needs 8-12 such leaders in democratic competition before it can become a "normal" democracy.
I wish people could be able to understands Imran Khan's vision, intentions, devotion, loyalty, honesty, integrity and above all pain for the country which he feels..........but we always love to talk against him, bash him like he is the one who is responsible for all that, what a shame...
Imran Khan, you are losing popularity because you're doing nothing different, you're just criticizing. Get out on the streets with your party! The young enthusiastic workers of your party are demotivated and they might lose direction.
Bravo Mr. Khan.. In you i see some hope for Pakistan...
A very bold statement. We are with Imran Khan. May Allah protect him.
Imran Khan, I think you better sort out your internal party problems before thinking about the country. I mean seriously guys, a person who cant sort out his own party problems, how can he sort our country problems. Keep dreaming to be PM Immi.
@Zaffar:
Its high time that you took an early exit out of Lala Land and landed back on planet earth with a loud bang. We would have a real hard time concealing our dental work when at the end of the election day the results would most probably mirror the ones from 2002 or even 1997. You might as well throw a party now and get on with it.
IMRAN KHAN can do...
I dont know how he will 'eradicate' terrorism..................while he emphasises too much on compromising with TTP and swat taliban. We also know that he was supporter of DPC in which Malik Ishaq is also an important member.
How is he trying to fool us..............arent TTP, LEJ, JUD, JEM, ASWJ, DPC etc are factions of same league and various disguises of same mindset. He is just naive and want to get votes by making such promises.
I have come back after a long gtime-I still see the Anti-IK bloggers remain thick as ever. I will be throwing a party when they get kicked in the teeth. I just wish I could see their faces at that time.I fully agree with Sirf Pakistani re IK 's policy. IK means business when he comes so better start getting used to honest & hardwork-which your current political Gods have never known. All they know is how to get sold and how to seel the rest of us
@Naeem Baig:
I guess you haven't been viewing the IRI polls of late. Let alone youth, the time is not too far away when even IK would have a hard time taking himself seriously.
@Raza: if you are still asking this question from PTI then you have been sleeping all the way along .....IK has stated billions of times that in order to get the situation under control govt has to depoliticize the police and bring honest people on top. there is no shortage of honest and competent police officers. its just that neither is there any political will for the resolve nor is the incumbent govt's priority. you want prove...just look at two events that took place in the same city...more than half of the city's police was deployed at the "other" corner of the city to protect the govt officials and no one even bothered to postpone their engagements and come to to share the grieved ones... what else do you want to know before you "cast your vote"... why is it too difficult for you to see the truth....stop being a cynic and for just once...just try to see the truth without making any lousy demands and you will get the answer.
@Zohaib:
Please enlighten us with IK's policy on Anti-Terror Policy again. Since he has inculcated the habit of eating his own words and taking U-Turns at every opportunity, its hard for us mere mortals to keep track of the edicts he publishes on a daily basis.
@kumail: oh are you serious? get your facts right first. You meant Jamia Banoria is conducting such targeted killings?
@A-No.1:
On the contrary, IK would never name MQM in any form. Be it an under the table understanding or his fear of bashing MQM but the fact is that IK does not have the gumption to take on MQM in a Karachi specific premise. He is not at all averse to name Punjab Government even when something happens in Karachi.....the most nonsensical aspect in all of this..
@Adnan Siddiqi: The youth of Pakistan has been taking him seriously since the present incumbents failed this nation. When the PPP went on playing politics with its allies while Karachi continued to bleed. Ever since the Punjab government has been spending the entire budget of the province on Lahore.
@All asking for khan's anti terror policy....I think you guys havent listened to him ever and just questions...if you have ever listened to him you would be convinced easily!
@A-No.1: If he is then whats wrong in it? Its obvious MQM, PPP and ANP owned armed wings, or you wont accept this fact even?
Through Police reforms and action against armed wings of political parties. Its now our duty to NOT cast vote to such political parties, because they cant stop militants at all when they already have in-house shooters. Abbas town is surrounded with armed members of 2 major parties and yet they were unable to identify terrorists.
All hot air. He seems to be targeting MQM (militant wings etc) in the hope he might get some votes in their urban areas.
Trust in Khan. If you want a Rolls Royce solution, move to Switzerland. If you can't move to Switzerland, know that Khan knows what he's doing, and he does have a counter terrorism policy, even if he hasn't put an anti-terrorism thesis online. Can you point out any other party that has any counter terror policy?
There is nothing wrong with Jamia Benoria. Please don't mislead the people.
Give PPP and PML(N) another chance and take every drop of blood out of this country. Final nail in the coffins.
For personal gains PMLN, PPP had consensus on 18,19,20 Amndt, Why NOT on stricter Anti Terror Law?
I totally agree with you IK, vote for IK if you want to save Pakistan.
Ironic isn't it that the act of terrorism takes place in Karachi and IK still considers it obligatory to mention Punjab Government in the same breath!!! How a Sugar Mill is synonymous with a car bombing in Karachi is something only the great legend can explain himself. Ah well, since when was he taken seriously by anyone.
Imran please talk some sense; do not try to do politics on the bloodshed in South of Pakistan.
Imran, speaking to the media on Monday, vowed that his party will eradicate terrorism when it comes into power
In nine days or ninety ? How will you eradicate ? By talking with the terrorists and appeasing them ? By imposing Sharia in all of Pakistan ?
Just tell us how?
We trust you Mr Imran Khan
aren't you the same Imran Khan who went to Jamia Benoria and begged them to join PTI public rallies? so, you too are equally responsible for encouraging such sectarian outfits