PTI Chairman Imran Khan addresses a news conference in Lahore. PHOTO: PPI
ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ratcheted up pressure on the federal authorities on Friday as its leaders sought to widen their campaign against drone strikes, in a bid to force the government to devise a more independent policy on the US-led war against terror.
In coming days the party is planning to start a countrywide protest.
Informed sources told The Express Tribune on Friday that the PTI chief Imran Khan has convened an emergency meeting of the party’s core committee today (Saturday) to discuss the party’s stance on drones and the blockade of Nato supplies.
“We’ll decide on how to give a new momentum to the ongoing protest against drone strikes—it’ll also be spread across the country,” said a senior leader of the party. “The party will announce a new strategy on drones and Nato’s blockade after the meeting,” he added.
“The meaningful protest in all possible form against drone strikes will continue unless the United States publicly announced it will halt illegal drone operation in tribal areas,” said PTI Deputy Information Secretary Adnan Randhawa.
“PTI will continue demanding an immediate end to the federal government’s policy of inaction on the issue. Beyond lip service it must take concrete measures against the killing of innocent Pakistanis.”
Meanwhile, the PTI chief said that US did not want peace in Pakistan. He added that friends of Pakistan did indeed help the country by promoting peace whereas the US was only killing people in the name of friendship
“I have no doubts now that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government came into power while inking a secret deal with the US over the drone issue,” Imran claimed adding that for this purpose massive rigging was done in general elections.
He said that the PML-N government was part of a game and international agenda to plunge Pakistan into more crises. “We do not want war with the US but we also don’t want to be their slave,” Imran said.
Amnesty for investors
The PTI chief also lashed out at the government for introducing a ‘money whitening scheme’ for investors, alleging that it would promote corruption and tax evasion in the country.
Criticising the move, Imran said that PML-N was giving industrialists the opportunity to whiten their black money. He added that such schemes would only increase disparity in the country and make the rich richer and poor poorer.
“Investment is not possible without peace and whitening of black wealth will not bring peace,” Imran remarked.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2013.
COMMENTS (38)
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@Dr.M.M.Khan: The European democracies have all their individual history! Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve, said George Bernard Shaw. But independence and sovereignty of the Nation requires the unity among its people and the will to resist foreign intrusion..Pakistan support of USA aggression against Afghanistan was a bad decision made by the military dicatator who did not have the clue about the costs of this operation not only in terms of finances but self respect, diginity and loss of lives resulting into the destabilisation of the society. Imran Khan is a populist self made politician and is following what most populists around the world do; not lead but follow the wishes of the populace. Neither he nor the people of Pakistan have anything to loose more than they already have. .
Rex Minor.
@Rex Minor: I thank you for your comment. The comparosion with european democracies does not hold water! These democracies are mature ones and experiencing changes of a larger union. The pakistani democracy has aborted so many times that one is pessmistic. Imran is a elected but not a leader of opposition in the national assembly. He has now established himself as the opposition leader of the people. He has been at it for over 15 years. You call him a realist but i would rather that he be pragmist. His motto seems to suggest "either my way or no way" He will have to make compromises sooner or later. His latest move to block the NATO supplies is wrong. It affects the very livlihood of people supporting him. The PM is quite happy to see Imran in a bind. I have been a great supporter of Imran but down the line he has to understand that the very democracy he was so for has come to haunt him. He can't have the cake and eat it too. Whether he likes it not TPI ia becoming a personality based party. I wish him luck but am concerned.
@Dr.M.M.Khan: This is not the time for great leaders with long term thought through visions biut for realist who go for the "direct democracy" straight to obilise the people instead of their representatives to move things. The European democracies are experiencing this phenomina and Mr Imran Khan is following the same methodology.
Rex Minor
Yes it is more important to spread the belief that fight against terror is NOT a war of survival of Pakistan. Also it is more important to destroy the drones than to save the war against Polio.
Keep it up PTI. The nation is with you.
@Ali S: You dint stand to take up the IQ test and you fell below admission to take the test.
Imran Khan...True Leader....Real Lion....Honest Patriot.
@Khalid:
Then IK should be tried for treason for trying to bargain with foreign 'agencies'. Sometimes I wonder if the IQ of most PTI fans - and their leader - is in single digits.
@Abid: You're the one who's confused. Maybe school didn't work out for after all.
@Xnain: @Dejected: The sooner people like u come out of your stupor the better it will be for Pakistan.
This man looks so constipated!
So start a dharna in KPK and go sit in lahore and islamabad for a week and see how things go... I am not sure what was expected but it seems desperate times call for desperate measures... Now it is widening dharna for drones and make it a campaign against inflation/corruption.... What's next!?
Indians and anti pakistan people are getting angry, in full keyboard warrior mode now
@Abid: check history of TTP, which country trained and created it for, cant deny history now. Also, it makes sense for anti-pakistan countries to fund these people to continue destruction in pakistan. Not everything is said on TV my friend.
First time ever in history, a leader dared to go against US. Anti-PTI US enslaved people want this country to remain in dark ages like it has been since decades. Salute to this great leader of PAKISTANI people.
IK is so true. TTP are controlled by India through Afghanistan with back support from US
TTP are controlled by India through Afghanistan with back support from US
@Khalid: "There is no TTP just its India, US and Israel agencies working in Pakistan". As the rest, delusion will never change. If your statement is true why is PTI stopping drone strikes? You Don't you want to kill your enemies. The reason to all this directs that PTI is a legal representative of TTP.
@Khalid
" There is no TTP just its India, US and Israel agencies working in Pakistan."
Haha. So, IK is asking for dialogue with Indian, Israeli and American agents? Talk about confused.
Pmln is encouraging looters to whiten their black money. This is a direct punishment for the honest people of Pakistan.
Some times I really think this man needs counciling from a well reputed psycologist. From the day he became a leader I have never seen him making the right decisions. He is living in his own world of dreams. Please take care of KPK and make it a role model for other provinces further 60 days have past but there are no local bodies elections as promised by you.
hopes tribune post this comment ! the best solution army take over and exile for all zaradari's and sahrifs !
IK, thank you for keeping your word. You are the leader Pakistan needs.
Brave Leader true lion ......keep it up khan sahib
The parties that come to power with the help of TTP are obligated to take up their cause.IK is doing what TTP expected of him.
IK has taken up the role of Pied Piper taking the pakistani youth to the deep sea. Some sane mind in his own party should advise him to finish this drama and act like a mature political leader.
@khalid you made many sweeping statements any evidence for these ? Or wild imagination or simply you are spymaster
are you out of your tiny brain to even say this, wake up fool !!!! @Xnain:
@Xnain & Dejectd
I don't see anything wrong with his comments. All he wants is peace. You are the ones who look delusional. Not knowing whats going on & what to do about it.
The only true leader. He will face hard time since PPP, MQM & PML (N&Q) are controlled from foreign.I wonder why people are against IK, he is not the prime minister or FATA governor. FATA is with federal government. There is no TTP just its India, US and Israel agencies working in Pakistan. Pakistan Media is also controlled from foreign like our politicians.
Great man.
This guy is so delusional thats its not even funny anymore.
Somebody wake up this "Show White"
He is playing the wrong cards.........LGBs are around the corner and instead of organizing his party for this important event, he is wasting his time.