Aug 22 by-polls: Imran calls for army deployment

Renews doubts over role of ECP and its returning officers.

KARACHI/ LAKKI MARWAT:

Days before Saturday’s by-elections, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has again criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and expressed his reservations over the role of its returning officers, terming it ‘shameful’.

His remarks came at a press conference called in Karachi to announce names of PTI candidates from the city, Naeem Sheikh (NA-254) and Muhammad Sultan (PS-103) for the by-elections.

“Around 400 petitions are lying with the Election Commission of Pakistan regarding rigging in elections, of which 60 have been filed by PTI itself,” Imran said, adding that his party would publish a white paper against the issue, on August 21, with appropriate evidences.

He also once again urged the Supreme Court to take notice of the rigging in elections, and bring those involved to task. He, however, added that his party always wanted to strengthen the Supreme Court.

Imran also called for army deployment at polling stations during the by-elections and said, “One army official should be deployed inside the polling station and one outside,” adding that democracy could not move forward if free and fair elections were not held.

Meanwhile, he thanked the citizens of Karachi for their participation in the May 11 general elections despite security threats and assured that PTI would work for peace in the city.

“We will give the federal government, all-out support for peace in Karachi, despite our differences with them,” the PTI chief said.

‘Major differences in K-P’

Earlier, commenting on Jamiat Ulemae Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s statement, Imran said there was no need for a Jewish agent as long as Fazl was present. “When he (maulana) is here, there is no need for a Jewish agent,” Imran remarked, alleging that Fazl had promised the US ambassador that he (Maulana) will do whatever they want.

Addressing PTI supporters at a rally for party candidate Colonel (retd) Amirullah, contesting from NA-27 in the by-election, Imran stated that major differences between Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and the rest of the provinces would be seen in a month.

“We need a month and then I promise a major difference will be evident in K-P and the rest of the provinces,” he said.

Imran was also confident that his party would ‘clean-sweep’ the local body polls against JUI-F and urged the people to support PTI in the by-elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2013.