Imran Khan addresses a mammoth rally in Karak on Sunday. PHOTO: NNI
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan opened his election campaign on Sunday with the tantalising promise of bringing peace to the troubled tribal area of Waziristan through a series of measures precipitated in part by a withdrawal of troops from there.
Once Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf comes to power, Imran told thousands of ecstatic party supporters at a rally in Dera Ismail Khan that he would order a pullout of forces from the tribal area.
“The prime minister of naya Pakistan will not be a slave to anyone,” the PTI leader told the rally -- his second in the course of a day.
Acknowledging that at present there wasn’t anyone to speak for the people of Waziristan, Imran said his party would make accountable all those who had inflicted cruelty upon the people of Waziristan.
“The money that is spent on the war in the tribal areas will be spent on the welfare of the people,” he said. PTI, according to him, will provide employment and education to the populace of the tribal belt and carry out development work there.
Elaborating on his peace building plan, Imran said his party intended to carry out negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, who, he claimed, were from amongst the nation.
Imran made an impassioned plea to the youth to support his party. Together with your support, he told them, we will oust all “political thieves” from the country.
“There is no difference between Nawaz, Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rahman and Asfandyar Wali,” Imran said. “These politicians took their turns and did nothing for the people. Instead, they filled their pockets with money.”
Imran reminded the gathering of politicians’ practice of buying votes for cash.
“When they offer you money, you must take it from them, as it is yours. But you must cast your ballot in PTI’s favour so that we can build a naya Pakistan together,” Imran said.
Speaking about his political campaign, Imran said that he is taking his party’s message of change around the country, so that people know the urgency with which it is needed.
Earlier, at a separate rally in Karak, the PTI chief said that his party is among the very few who have given 250 party tickets to those belonging to the age of 40 and below and 80% have never been part of parliament before.
“On the night of May 11, the nation will reject the politics of opportunism and flattery and vote for people who are truly among them,” he said.
Imran promised that his party would help end class differences between rich and power, and would install one education system in the country.
“Due to a uniform education system, the lower class will get an opportunity to rise,” he said.
The PTI chief also had a novel development plan for Karak district. After much insistence from local party leaders, Imran announced that his party would offer royalty rates for oil and gas exploration to Karak as the ones the government is currently offering Balochistan.
Karak, despite having sufficient gas reserves, does not have access to the natural resource. People of the area are unhappy with the government for not building an oil refinery in the district.
The gathering was attended by thousands of people from Lakki Marwat, Kohat, Bannu and suburbs of Karak, including Takhte Nasrati and Banda Daud Shah. Though the rally was held at a sensitive location, there was a small security presence for the PTI leader’s protection.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2013.
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Many people at the gathering came from Kohat, Peshawar, Bannu and Lakki Marwat but still the enthusiasm of young workers and supporters was worth to watch.But despite this, out of one MNA seat and two PK seats from Karak TPI is contesting on. It will win only PK-40 seat. so clean sweep is HANOOZ DOR AST.
@Khan: The role of a victim does not suit you! The new Govednment and the Pakistan military must appease for their own safety! No one has the power and the endurance to confront the sixty odd million Pashtuns who are the largest living tribesmen in the world.
Rex Mnor
Look at the people who say Khan sb is wrong by demanding demilitirization of FATA: I beleive that have no knowledge of ground realities. Waziristan will be demilitirized after surrender of TTP. This is for sure that their legitimate demands of restricting drones and and avoiding America dictation must be honoured. Do u want Pakistan to be dictated bu US for the sake of their game plan?
@Shahid: do you think every tribal man is a terrorist. change your perception towards, people like you have actually brought them to this stage. speak for change. Vote for IK for Naya Pakistan
@Zeeshan: Please tell us how many innocent people died in drone attacks compared to the 30,000 plus Pakistanis slaughtered (plus probably twice that many maimed) by the TTP, or have you not noticed????
A Better option would be to pull out the Army troops from the whole country... Send them to soem La-La Land,.. Anyway, the troops have failed miserably against TTP & other rogue elements... There is no benefit for Pakistan to have such an Army and utilizing precious resources of the poor country to maintain the same. That can solve lot many problems of poor & hungry citizens.
@Ch. Allah Daad: How do you know...? Do you know each and every one by name/face?
@Shahid: I think you are the only wise man on this forum. I think you have not seen the killings of innocent people died in drones. Perhaps you will understand this when somebody close to you (God Forbid) is killed in such drones.
Some of the people who disagree with Imran Khan about pulling the army out, may don't pay attention. He spoke about this problem a million time and said that when we disengaged from American War the Taliban can trust us that we are serious about bringing peace, he says then we will hold talks with those who want peace and separate them from the hard core war monger Taliban and then will use army to clear them all. Now lets visit the past and see if the present policy if continue will work. I am not going to the 70iese although it will make the picture clear but I don't have that much of space. I am an immigrant from the pushtoon area of Pakistan. So my heart equally beat for the will being of Pakistan to. I still feel the same love for Pakistan as I had it when I was living there. Pakistan Army; Politician and bureaucracy play double game for all this past 12 years of war. They cheated both the United State and the Pakistani people. On one hand they created supported Taliban and on the other hand when Dollars were thrown in there packets they started killing them, in a way to not eliminate them, but just enough to show some result for the Dollars they already took. And if anyone pay attention you will know when Army start to take actions against the Taliban in past they let them know in some cases in three weeks in advance that we are coming, enough time so the Taliban can safely move to another area. While this mouse and Cat game was going on they killed thousand of innocent people which make easier for Taliban to recruit more people. The policy did not work for either Pakistan or the west. The west were hoping that using Pakistan army will lessen there Burden they did not know that the top Pakistan's generals, bureaucracy and Politicians corrupt to the core, they have no sympathy for there own country's people or the international community. So problem now became a cancer, to cure this problem and bring peace to Pakistan and help the United state leave behind a stable Afghanistan it is now more important to have a honest leadership in Pakistan who feel deep love for his country and people and provide a honest and courageous leadership so the problem can be solved and the peace can be restored. I hate Taliban and have no sympathy for them but for the sake of stability and peace lets try if some of them will like to live like humans and let the rest of the people stay in peace. if not you will always have the military choice use it as a last resort, Peace in the entire world, because it is beautiful.
@Raj - USA: dude if you and the other Indians keep posting such positive statements than there is no need for the people of the two countries to fight on the net space.By the way I agree with you 100% the Taliban whether in Pakistan or Afghanistan are a menance no matter whose 'Stragetic assets' they are.
@Mohsin: Exactly my point, that's because we had not disengaged from this war of the US. Do you know why they are calling us UnIslamic?, or our politicians'? Not because of any ideological difference, just because we are fighting this war in the first place. To be honest they are justified in saying so, taking part in killing innocent people on our own soil, what kind of Islam is that. Not disengaging from the war is not an option, you disengage first and then pull out troops. Take away the narrative of jihad. They have declared jihad against Pakistan because we are supporting America in a war against THEM.
@Talha Rizvi: I was one of Imran Khan's strong supporters in the beginning but am totally disappointed now. Hassan Nisar's words, many months ago, "Allah Na Karey Imran Nakaam Ho" still echos in my ears. In the recent years, probably for the first time after Bhutto, Pakistan had a personality in IK who could have brought direction and a good change to Pakistan. Very, very sadly, he has misused his popularity and is leading the country to destruction. He often says that Pakistan should get out of America's war. Wouldn't it not be better if Pakistan joins full heartedly and enthusiastically America's war in Afghanistan and also win the war? How much benefits, peace and prosperity such a victory would bring to Pakistan and the entire region including Afghanistan, Iran and India. Imagine the immense benefits it would bring to Pakistan, would be beyond what anyone can even imagine. Keeping talibans in any form, be it Afghan or TTP, or just keeping them inactive and in abeyance for some time, will never bring permanent peace and lasting prosperity to the region. Is it really possible for anyone to educate the talibans? In my view, Pakistan has the best, and probably the last chance to wipe out all forms of talibans when US and NATO forces are in the region. Once they vacate the region, Pakistan will be facing different factions of talibans all alone. A leader blessed with popularity should lead the people, correct their misconceptions, provide guidance and bring a change of course. After so much delay, hesitation and rethinking, the Army is taking on the talbans and IK is mobilizing the people against the Army. In other words, he is mobilizing the masses against the country.
If anything the army needs to be more on the offensive! I really cant comprehend why he would want to pull troops out of there?
@Raj - USA: Finally something we agree on.Imran khan is supported by Idle Urbanburger jihadis,right wing Punjabi columnists and a couple of pushtoons who he seem to have captured with a combination of dumb slogans and despite being A PUNJABI by idiotically pushing his distant Pushtoon ancestry.I'm sad to say that some of my closest friends are held sway by his dumb slogans and harp on infinitely about his noble pushtoon ancestry and our need to talk with monsters like the Taliban.
“When they offer you money, you must take it from them, Most objectionable word he said in his statement. Is he trying to teach true Pakistani standard to masses. commit something & do totally opposite. Wow
@pashtoon bajaur: sir i'm very sorry for the lost of your friend but please give solution we all are just pointing fingers for 8 years now we are fighting this war still you think we should fight them now talks with these ttp is the only solution.
@hussain: Dear, there was a strategy taken place in swat earlier & as a result Pak Army need to launch operation Rah e rast & 2 million people were displaced. I still remember the words of Sufi Mohammad in his Juma khutba "Democracy is UN-Islamic, Parliement house represent kuffaar system" Just mark my word these talibans are professional criminals, whenever you give them control they will kick your back & I believe this statement of Imran khan in D.I. Khan is not for the rally but for the other force who's still hidden somewhere behind rocks.
@ Kashif Zia.. The pic is not editted. Actually the people behind some rows are fond of and pressed to stand at the chairs as they have to see their leader and this makes this impact. I have been into PTI jalsas and know this fact.
couldn't believe it first that such a massive crowd gathered in Karak, which is a small southern most rural area of KPK. I am pretty sure now that it will be a clean sweep for PTI from KPK. now all eyes are on the Punjab.
IIf Every district is demanding the return of their resources than the water and Electricity are the Resources of Hazara malakand and Peshawar the timber belongs to dir and Hazara. The land occupied for Provancial capital is belong to the people of peshawar so all provancial employment should be given to the people of peshawar. Than Kark should pay the Return of resources utilizing by the people of kark to concern district and all employees of provancial government should be sent and vacate it for district peshawar people and they should be given only district quota not be selected through merit. Every things of Pakistan or KP belong to the people Equally. So the kark don't try to create hatred among people of KP and Pakistan
It would definitely be a large jalsa. But why the pic is not original (edited in the center: look at bigger central region). Is it a work of PTI media cell or newspapers. I have seen the same picture in almost every newspaper. How these pictures are made and provided? Why don't newspapers do their own coverage? If they do what is the motive of publishing the same pic, seemigly not original? I hope you publish this comment...
@Mohsin: There will be a strategy involved, don't worry about that. It's not like a 'free for all' thing. There will be agreements, arrangements, agendas for development and that is the way forward. DEVELOPMENT not War.
@Nadir: I'm amazed at how naive we have become. Do you seriously think that the army will pull out just like that ? The point is to get out of this war that we have gotten ourselves into for no good reason. Suddenly the heros of the 1980s have become terrorist ? Seems a bit odd doesn't it? You can't kill a race, you have to accept it. Putting soldiers in the tribal areas is NOT the solution, rather I propose placing institutions for learning, spreading education, awareness among the people. How hard is to come to an agreement to have schools established in the tribal region, so that at least the next generation of the people can be enlightened, indeed, quite difficult with our army fighting someone else's war on their lands (FATA and FCR for reference to 'their lands')
Yes, he Khan.
We love you Pakistan Khan
No no no. Pulling troops out of Waziristan is not a wise idea. Im not supporting imran khan straight away from now on.
From the rally it seems as if whole Pakistan has assembled to listen to Imran Khan the prospective PM. So, take it granted he is going to sweep the poll this time. Why should he not? Change is the rule of nature and change is always better.
So he plans on giving more breathing space to those savages who have the blood of thousands on their hands, who want to implement their own brand of governance, are against education, blow up school, attacks social worker, challenge the very notion of voting, basically they are against every aspect of a civil society.
He vows to bring an end to the looting and plunder, promote education etc etc......but at the cost of of our safety. PTI supporters you may be able to go to school for free but you may be blown up the way
@Ch Allah Dad You know very well that this is unemployed then you should also know the culprits behind that. This educated unemployed youth does not need Taxis after graduation. By the way youth is supporting IK whether they are employed or unemployed
@abdussamad: That is politics, for the uninformed.
Everytime, I resolve to vote for him, he says something like this. So what he is really saying is that we will be slaves to the taliban and their masters the Saudis
looks like a photoshopped pic close to ik's hand, this wave of giants
According to Imran he will negotiate with terrorists who have killed my friends in FATA. We have really become a country of chickens and we are forced to love this leader. Does this happen in other parts of the country?
Photoshopped picture. Check out the video clip & see for yourself the total number of ppl. Desperate media team of a desperate leader. Fake tsunami.
PML-N is indeed turning into a GT Road Party.
@Ch. Allah Daad: @hasan:
Ch. Allah Daad is on the other hand full time employed by PML-N as its propaganda manager.
I have hope now in Pakistan. I rather stay in pakistan although hard to get settle abroad..
PTI we are living because of you. Take care our hopes guys and good luck for campaigne
How much more he is going to demoralize the army? It is beyond my understanding that so many are supporting surrendering their country to the talibans.
@Ch. Allah Daad: unemployed on weekend only :)
He is quite the populist. He says exactly what people want to hear and so never the same thing to two different groups of people.
so the taliban roam and kill freely in the whole country....
@Ch. Allah Daad: You seem to know quite a lot about this region. The unemployed must have a cause to attend his rallies. And thanks to the 30 years of PPP and PMLn, that there are lots of unemployed youth to support and vote for Imran Khan.
So what happens to the "sovereignty" of Pakistan when the FATA region becomes a mini state for the good/bad Taliban???? By the way, has the great IK yet used the words "terrorist" and "TTP" in the same sentence?
@Shahid: It is rather now they have their own state there. And where the orders come from now, Washington. Ten years of troops and jets and drones have made no difference. Let us change masters, change plans.
Essentially there is no difference between the PPP and the PMLn. Let us hope the people Pakistan break the shackles of past and petty affiliations and vote for Imran. The worst of Imran will be a thousand times better than the best of PPP and PMLn.
@Ch. Allah Daad: Unemployed due to the stellar performance of the PPP and the "opposition."
HOW CAN U LET TTP OFF THE HOOK FOR KILLING MORE THAN 40,000 PAKISTANIS. I AM A PATHAN AND I DESPISE U FOR UR CALL OF WITHDRAWING TROOPS FROM WAZIRISTAN without taking TTP to task.
are u gone blind and deaf.do u even care for the terror that TTP has unleashed on our country men.
U will but army will not puillout without ensuring due justice is provided to victims of terror attack.
Amazing rally in Karak. The first of many stops for the PTI and its rolling over the competition.
What politicians say during election campaign, only 1% of it they do in real when they come into power! Hope Imran Khan will change this trend?
I remember not long ago, the youth wanted to leave Pakistan as they saw no hope in things improving here. That's why most people, especially the youth in Pakistan never voted.
This was before Imran Khan blasted on to the popular political stage, now things are very different. Finally, we can now clearly see HOPE for Pakistan.
In Karak, more than 50 K crowd chanting PTI songs!!!!!! The Pakistan Khan is on its way, irresistible, unstoppable. Romance of politics at its peak!!!!!
I liked the economic incentive of oil and gas exploration in the area. It seems the grass root work of PTI in the area is finally paying off in the form of proposals for area specific solutions.
PTI is surely on fire these days. I was wrong when I used to think just two months back that his 'Tsumani' has lost its charm.
clean sweep from PTI inshaa Allah
Pull out troops from Waziristan and leave the people there to fend for themselves? Sacrificing your own citizens to prove to foreign masters that we are not their slaves?
In a tit for tat, PML-N will now announce the introduction of sharia in Waziristan, in addition to pulling out the troops. The race for the appeasement of terrorists between the two continues.
Imran khan is the only true leader in this country. Vote for PTI and together we'll build better Pakistan for the masses Inshallah
In photo it seems to be an impressive gathering but these are total number of PTI voters in entire region. Unemplyed youth has nothing else to do..
Naya Pakistan PM will take orders from Taliban! Their demand is to pull troops from tribal areas so that they can establish their own state.