PTI to start fresh protest movement on May 11, 2014. PHOTO: PTI FACEBOOK PAGE
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan vowed on Friday to start protests against what he claimed was widespread rigging in the 2013 general elections from May 11, a year after the watershed polls that saw his party rise to power in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and become the third largest party by seats in the national assembly.
Addressing a rally in Islamabad to mark PTI’s 18 years, Imran announced the party’s decision to begin a fresh round of protests for a free and fair election commission.
“Iftikhar Chaudhry, you were also involved in this match fixing,” he said, accusing the former chief justice of Pakistan of being complicit in the election rigging.
“On May 11, we will begin our protest to struggle for a transparent election process,” Khan said, adding that a free and fair election commission was absolutely necessary for a healthy democracy. He added that the subversion of the electoral process was a violation of Article 6 of the Constitution.
“We had accepted the election, but we have not accepted the rigging,” he said, adding that those who were involved in the rigging should be exposed and brought to justice.
“For the sake of the constitution, for the sake of democracy and for the sake of our children’s future we will start this movement on May 11 and we will not stop no matter what we have to sacrifice.”
“We will approach the current Supreme Court and request them to fix the electoral process,” he said.
He welcomed all political parties who thought the last general elections were not fair to become part of PTI’s protest movement.
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PTI proved to be total failure in KPK, Imran has finally realized it after a year. He is aware if he remains in power in KPK for a full five years term, PTI is likely to vanish from the scene, therefore mid term elections suit him. But there seems no justification for these elections.He should surrender with honour and avoid unnecessary agitation.
Only hope for Pakistan is Nawaz Sharif. Highly disappointed from Imran Khan. He should use the forum of National Assembly. No use of bringing his workers on roads.
I don't consider Imran a politician. It was my mistake to vote for PTI in May 13 elections. He is habitual of revising his point of view on different issues. Now I am 100% sure that he often tells a lie.
Imran is the Master of U Turns. He blamed Returning Officers after elections. At that time he said that Top judiciary was not involved. Today he says that top judiciary was involved. Shame for such a u turn and liar politician.
@Liaqat Ali:
With all due respect my friend, the government can appoint a commission to speak with someone like Tahir-ul-Qadri even though he is a custodian of someone else's insidious agenda. As for PTI, why is there a need to speak with him? After all PTI is the third largest party in the NA with a sizeable presence and as such, IK should lead a furious debate inside the parliament on this subject. Has he done this in the last one year? Clearly he has not because that will not earn him the brownie points which he wants to earn out in front of the public.
@Ozair:
ECP is an independent body and only it can authorize voter verification in those "4 Constituencies." The government or PML-N has no say in this. Even the SC considers this idiotic rant by PTI and IK nothing but a sheer waste of time and valuable resources. Besides, even the ECP goes on to verify the prints and PML-N still comes out being victorious; would IK be content and satisfied?
Now I have a got a question for you, if this system is corrupt and the current government came into existence through a rigged and engineered election - why is PTI ruling in KPK and its legislators including Imran David Koresh Khan earning handsome emoluments in NA, Punjab and Sindh Assemblies. Being part of the system and simultaneously opposing it is actually called "Muka Muka" "Quid Pro Quo" and "Noora Kushti." Remember this definition which was so eloquently explained to PML-N by IK when PML-N used to be in opposition?
Resign from the assemblies and parliament and take your case out to the public and launch a movement against the government. Anything less then that is hypocrisy!
Imran khan is like the internet explorer of politics!
Most immature and liar politician.
Guys; He is talking about fixing the electoral process for future and there is nothing wrong with that. Govt must step in early and agree on a commisssion to fix it .The commision must include all stakeholders including PTI and even Tahir ul qadri. .
@True Karachiwala:
A very good bedtime story my kind sir. I am sure even Ian Fleming would have been proud of such fiction.
Wow. Look at all this anger by the N-goons !!!! They still maintain that Election was free and fair even though the whole world say thappaa mafia making paper planes out of Ballot papers. If u are so sure that elections were fair, then why are u so afraid of voter finger print verification in only 4 constituencies??? can someone answer that please?
Vote of youth for Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif.
Imran is the most confused politician in Pakistan. His prime objective is to destabilize the present government. He is not sincere with Pakistan. Even he is not sincere with PTI. He only wants to become Prime Minister and Insha Allah that is impossible.
IK is only competing with Tahir-ul-Padri right now for the biggest Drama Queen Competition of 2014.
IK's statement proves that Iftikhar Choudhry was also a part (who dragged whole juiciary in his evil designs) of so called lawyers movement to oust Gen.Musharraf.
It was basically a troika of Media, PML N, and Iftikhar chaudhry that artificially created a national hero, Mr.Chaudhry, and ousted Musharraf from power and later created great hurdles for PP government through suo moto actions, contempt of court notices and media trials. They took up Baloch missing persons case relentlessly without inquiring into what anti state activities are going on there just to peg down defense forces. So that PML N does not face a strong army after elections.
They released Talibaans and other sectarian terrorists who played havoc with civilians and stopped PP, MQM, ANP from taking active part in elections, thus ensuring favourable conditions for PML N, PTI, JI, & other secterian organizations to win elections. Iftikhar Chaudhry in clear violation of Constitution ordered delimitation in Karachi to deprive MQM of its vote bank, again to make it easy for PML N to govern in future without any help of MQM. Now we are watching another episode of this successful tactic, but this time around minus Iftikhar Chuadhry.
PML N has pitted its biggest ally Geo ( which happens to be a great proponent of India as this days are both The Sharifs) against Army. Here PML N is acting like spectator not as a governemnt. For example its ministers are issuing statements as if ISI is an individual not a government department who has some personal scores to settle with Geo. This is deliberate and it was will cause disappointment in army which will eventually benefit PML N.
But this move will prove to be a Make or Break for PML N this time. Its result will definitely determine the fate of both The Sharifs and PLM N
If ever some up and coming literary writer wants to write a book on how to take a U-Turn, that person can surely take inspiration from IK in this regard as Mr. Khan is a master at taking such turns.
Back in August, 2013, he backed away from his "Sharamnaak" diatribe by way of explanation that his rant was only directed towards the returning officers and not the judiciary as a whole, http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=216551 and today he is running his motor mouth senselessly when CJ Chaudhry has retired.
And people wonder why no sane person supports him.
It is very simple to know that 2013 elections were rigged, but imran khan is too late to ask for justice as many people have lost faith in him because he also wants to save the system but not the people of Pakistan.........
@ All who are against the protest. Yes it is true that we cannot relive the past but we can learn from it. It is important to remember the mistakes and protest against frauds that had happened in the past and also try to fix the flaws of system so the same will not happen in the future. If we forgot the rigging this time “as we have the tendency to forget things quite easily” the same would happen next time. The agitation is not for the election 2013 but for the election 2018. Performing well is imperative no argument on it but fixing the faults of electing candidates is also crucial so that next time only deserving candidates will win whatever is the party they belong to.
What ET published has not said by Imran Khan. Publish his full speech.
If PTI wins, everything is all right. If PTI loses, there is rigging.
This baby is always crying. He is doing the worst opposition.
PTI is a group of corrupt people gathered from other parties. KPK is facing this corruption now. Imran is a complete failure.
Great . Its time to be. At least imran khan is not loan defaulter money laundrer. Or croupt. As other leaders are. I suport imran khan. Its never too late.l
It's called the politics of hollow slogans and gimmicks. After a year when IK's other slogans didn't work he is jumping ro another gimmick.
In sha Allah the nation will be with you and Tahir ul Qadri and In sha Allah both will unite their troops on May 11, 2014.
In Pakistan, what are elections without rigging?
Say "NO" to Imran.
IK came very late on national issues he must be proactive. Time is most important factor but its never too late.
Sick and tired of Imran Khan and his idiocy! And I suppose this latest statement proves what a lier he is...remember why he was charged with contempt of court and what his defence was?
Imran could not handle KPK affairs and wants to get out of the mess he has made in the province during the past ten mpnths. He is totally exposed now. However, in his bid to do so the childish character is trying to push country into anarchy.
It shall fail ... too hot in May ... Should have tried all this drama in "Mausam e bahaar" !!!
PTI needs to wake up before its too late. Always late to the party.
For gods sake please stop whinning. The truth is that you were rejected; and Khan Sb, before crying just remember you supported two individuals who had the power to stop, this so called rigging, you supported CJP Iftikhar Ch & Chief Election Commisoner Fakhru Bhai, while the nation and media condemned them & there appointment, it was you who said I have confidence in them; so sincerely stop whinning. GROW UP
East or West Nawaz Sharif is the best.
Salute to Imran Khan for being to persistant in his work and sincerity.
More money injected into bankrupt PIA and Pak Steel which will never be privatised as they are cesspools of corruption.........IMRAN KHAN DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO....and do it quick, because we are sinking fast.
No hope from him. His disappointed supporters feel ashamed seeing his alliance with JI and support for TTP. Its very late to disclose reality about Iftikhar Chaudhary. Damage is already done.
When kids play cricket, the one who loses says " میں نھیں مانتا" This character is still not mature enough to play an effective role in politics.
Ik is right,,, its been almost one year and judiciary hasn't ordered for recounting,,, what a blemish justice we are having,,,, and according to recent survey 60% people are satisfied with kp govt performance,,, its not bad!!!!! is it Guys?????
Imran's politics of agitation can help PTI but it cannot help Pakistan.
The amount of N-League die hards found on Tribune's comment sections is really appalling and give away. Seems like there's another Chief Minister's office in Punjab for Imran Khan vilification.
GO IMRAN GO. PTI has badly failed in KPK. Corruption is at its peak in KPK. I voted for PTI and I shall never do this mistake again. I am completely hopeless from corrupt PTI.
@Tariq:
Ah, So we now need to listen to your analysis?
@gp65:
He is simply playing wise without creating Social disorder
@GS@Y:
Compare the performance first then be a keyboard warrior
@Safwan: you are his worshipper! Too bad!
Make it or fake it,nawaz couldn't make it but very well faked it with punctures and suo moto choudry
PML N has done nothing except slogans in 1 year, why took finger prints when they don't varify it, infant choudry really did worse to pakistan.Mian saab you really disappoint us. We are ashamed to vote you
Next election with same election commission will just be a joke....need to fix it or else dictatorship will be much greater than this wheel chaired democracy
This rant of IK is just as mistimed and uncalled for as the rest of his previous dharnis and Sunday kay Sunday funday. Just another attempt to boost the sagging morale of the trolls and burger group.
@Tariq:
He can chest thump all he wants but what he is doing right now is being part of the same corrupt and engineered system (according to him) that he is crying against at the moment. He has a government in KPK and has legislators in NA, Punjab and Sindh Assemblies who are earning handsome remuneration at the expense of taxpayers. You can't benefit from the system and abhor it in public at the same time. Remember, when PML-N was doing the same kind of opposition between 2008-2013, he always taunted them for "Muk Muka" and "Noora Kushti," This is exactly what he is doing right now.
This dispensation is corrupt to the core he says but does not have least of the problem requesting the PM to clear encroachment around his palatial abode at Banigala so that the value of his real estate and that of some of his cohorts like Amir Kiyani and Saif Niazi appreciates.
Iftikhar Chaudhry is the worst thing that happened to this country after Zia ul Haq.
@Tariq Are you kidding me. Imran lacks sports man spirit. If election were fair why remove NADRA Chairman, why not conduct voter verification of just 4 seats he wants.
This cry-baby will keep on crying to divert the attention of the people from his failings in KPK, where his own party-members have made a forward block against the weak & incompetent government of PTI... The people have already rejected him due to which he has lost the by election in Peshawar (NA-1) despite PTI's government in the province.
This was not going into his mind when Tahirul Qadri was saying it. He had fear that TUQ will capture the show. IK intention is only and only to bring him up as Prime Minister no matter at what cost. He can support or oppose anything for that purpose.
Pakistan's greatest leader has spoken, once again with clarity and vision.
IK, you are the only hope left for Pakistan. We trust you and wish you success in realizing the dreams you have for Pakistan, for us, for our children and families.
As if you was destined to win each and every seat between planet earth and pluto. Wish you do something like eradicating polio from the province your party governs instead of talking about issues which are way beyond your league.
Pakistan is facing so much challenges. I believe that opposition should provide support the government to meet challenges. Imran Khan should leave the politics of agitation.
This man is always crying and fooling the nation. No sane man can vote for PTI. What has PTI delivered in KPK? Imran's eyes will open when PTI will loose KPK in next elections.
Imran should accept the defeat. Entire youth voted for PML(N).
This man lacks sportsman spirit. He can do nothing except making noise. His goal is to create hurdles for the government.
I suspect vote rigging was greatest in areas where there were no International Observers. Those Observes were denied access because of security reasons and I believe that Taliban Khan should be held partly responsible for the lack of security. As such .. maybe IK should take a look in the mirror when he complains about voter fraud.
Protest all you want, as this is what you have done but first please tell us what were you planning to do in 90 days that you haven't managed in even 365 days?!
It's been a year since the elections and the political dispensation everywhere is all settled. What's the point of starting protests now? He think we can't see that this is plainly a ploy to stay relevant now that the mask on his party's popularity and ability to actually perform in office has been lifted.
Everybody in Pakistan saw how elections were rigged. Polling didnt finish until 6pm while results were announced at 5. Sharif brothers declared themselves winners soon after. Who voted for the Sharifs apart from some who still believe in baradaris etc? We are with you Imran Khan, the only sincere politicial leader!
A full hour of silence for those who voted for PTI.
And to IK- show us some work in KPK, dont waste the time & energy of this country on protests & dont hide behind the cloak of protest if you've got no 'change' to show even after 1year(4 times 90days)
More agitation instead of performance. What a disappointment PTI and IK have been.