Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan accused former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry of ‘refusing’ to audit votes in four constituencies where rigging was suspected during the general elections in May.
Khan compared the former CJP to an Indian umpire who refused to consider his appeal against an Indian batsman during a cricket match allegedly ‘in order to secure a win for his team’.
Speaking at the launch of ‘Yes, this is the truth’ by PTI office-bearer Brig (Retd) Muhammad Aslam Ghuman on Thursday, Khan asked, “How can it be possible for lawmakers who come to the assembly through rigged elections to remove corruption from society and from among their ranks?”
He accused the prime minister of securing 8,000 votes in a constituency where 1,500 voters were registered. “If I were in his place, I would put all the polling officials behind bars in this case,” Khan said.
The PTI chief said that until the political elite declared their financial assets, it will be impossible to bring a culture of transparency in the country. He said the party had filed a resolution to this effect in the assembly and had raised the issue here at least six times, to no avail.
Speaking out against the recent ‘gift’ of $1.5 billion to the Pakistan government, Khan said ‘the government received $1.5 billion to fan sectarianism and killings on the basis of faith’. He added, “We hold a begging bowl but are not willing to collect fair taxes and eradicate corruption at the highest levels.”
Khan said that accountability was a ruse for political victimisation, adding that not a single FIR has been registered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the PTI-led government accusing it of political victimization. He claimed that the revenue collection from indigenous resources increased three times during the PTI government.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 11th, 2014.
COMMENTS (25)
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@SK.... you seem to the that kind of IK supporter that I once was; seeing everything from IK's eyes. I have learnt my lesson. IK has a policy of selective criticism.... he only criticizes when it suits him.
And a staunch supporter of Taliban, that IK is, and talking about justice is like Veena Malik giving a lecture on the importance of hijaab....
@SK: Sir, a brave man is one who takes the bull by the horn, as he touts, because hind side is always 20/20.
never know who is an ally or not in politics
Imran Khan has entered politics on crutches, first he was supportive of former CJ, Jamat e islami, now both are evil, typical weak person.Imran Khan was expecting moe favors from CJ, but he forgot the most obligations CJ owe is to Nawaz Shareef.
@Logic Europe: CJ was great as long as he devoted all his energies and resources to destabilize the last elected govt. What a hogwash was the memo case and letter to Swiss. Everybody knew it was a whole lot of nothing and an exercise in futility but the CJ continued without any positive results. Yet he was the darling of both IK and NS till that time when the shoe came on the other foot.
Is IK talking about the same CJ for whom he was up in arms against the PPP govt? Wasn't IK telling the people of Pakistan that their problems would be solved only if CJ is restored? The CJ was restored and he implemented Gen Zia's agenda and did very well for himself and his billionaire son. Like a child IK goes back on his own words and follies.
mr khan what have u done in KPK so far
@Strategic Asset:
Sir ignorance is a biggest curse and prejudice is lethal.
@Midas:
I agree with you on this point. However you would appreciate that IK was not the only politican dissatisfied with the election process, the outcry was universal. IK was bold enough to approached the judiciary using options open to him.The retired CJP should have taken notice of the countrywide allegations of fraud and tempering of votes. The then CJP due to his complicity did not do so, inspite of PTI repeated requests. Please see his current statements in this perspective. Had he issued the same statement then , he would have been booked for contempt of court . Of course the retired CJP did a lot of good things too but that does not absolve him of things that he wronged. Not taking notice of election rigging when vivid documented support was provided in court indicates his complicity particularly when he had a reputation of taking a suo moto notices on a whimp.
@Midas: He never supported CJP he supported Judiciary in general. Infact he always said CJP didn't handle his son's situation in a honest way. Also he is not against CJP just because he didn't do what he wanted, He is against him because he didn't do the right thing which is to order investigation on rigging in elections
@Nida Alvi: and ns and aaz will give way to ......their next of kin soon
This guy being a foremost leader in Pakistan, he still thinks only in terms of cricket?
Looking at the average age of the Pakistani cricket team, I think it is still not late for him to consider a second career in cricket.
Now the world (including IK) sees the true face of the former CJP. Musharraf's reference against the said justice was not only legal but also valid. The CJP had aligned with Nawaz Sharif to overthrow Musharraf, and his son was involved in corrupt practices. I mean how many examples do we need? Consipiring to disqualilfy Musharraf from the presidency, hiding his son's corruption, openly telling govt to bring treason charges against Musharraf, refusing to order audit of the four constituencies PTI had asked for, making political speeches, so on and so forth. Only the blind will refuse to see.
@Nida Alvi:
And that too an unelected Chairman of PTI.
@Nadeem Zafar: u keep dream a day will come when Pak will embrace change and MR IK will be our PM inshalla.
@SK: well for one IK was one of the biggest supporters of CJP until he did not do what IK wanted; CJP-IMC was one of the most polar people the judiciary had ever had - when he ought to have been objective and fair. IK did not see that? because it did not serve his purpose at that time, well too bad he can't have his cake and eat it too.
Imran's popularity in the virtual world seems to have gone down significantly..just seven comments on his own statement..it used be 100+ within hours just a few months back.
Mr Nida Alvi what wrong did he said? the same CJ addressed Judicial magistrates who were district returning officers, returning officers and the assistant returning officers before elections http://tribune.com.pk/story/532569/chief-justice-speaks-in-supreme-national-interest/ and Suo Moto was taken on the violations committed by returning officers, returning officers and the assistant returning officers.
His immaturity is glaring, in his statement against the former honourable cheif justice of pakistan. Not too long ago he championed the very same man as the bringer of justice to the country. And only when it did not suit him, imran turns around and starts whining about the honourable cjp chaudhary sahab. If instead he would have taken a principled stand, like i dont know, not accept a judge who secured his seat with political backing rendering him perpetually biased no matter what his intentions, he would have been in a more secure place right now on his high horse.
@Nida Alvi: What did he say that appeared Sharamnakh to you Ms Nida. Is talking about corrupts who are sitting in Parliament because of blatantly rigged and manipulated election , is Imran the only politican who accuses the incumbent government of vote rigging.? Or is it Sharamnakh to speak against accepting questionable generous gifts from foreign sources. Tell me why Saudis did not give such a generous gift to the previous government or the government before.No nation gives anything to the other for free without a vested interest. It is this nature of interest that Imran is speaking about . Is it SHaramnakh ? Stop being bious and have a courage to call spade a spade.
Ex Chief Justice and his son Arsalan, have done well for themselves They have amassed a vast fortune. Arsalan is building a mansion in Lahore, the likes which most rich people in Pakistan can not conceive. So much for justice, yet another corrupt and self serving individual in a long list of officials who betrayed Pakistan to serve their own self interest. These shameless individuals don't care that they have condemned the people of Pakistan to continue to live a life of servitude under the leadership of the Nawaz and Zardari nexus.
Ifthikhar Chaudhry don't worry the ultimate justice awaits you, there you will not be able to deceive and manipulate yourself out of it.
@nida alvi, and the Sharamnak behavior from public.
The same khan remained silent and supportive of this judge when he was destroying people's party piece by piece
Great Khan.
Yet another Sharamnaak statement of Imran Khan in the capacity of Lifetime Chairman of PTI.