“There are some elements that are trying to push their own agenda under the pretext of democracy,” says Imran Khan. PHOTO: PTI
PESHAWAR:
Ruling out the possibility of mid-term elections, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday said there are no threats to democracy.
“There are some elements that are trying to push their own agenda under the pretext of democracy,” said Khan during his address at the inauguration ceremony of Tameer-e-School programme at Duranpur Government Girls Primary School (GGPS).
However, he said rigging allegations over the May 11 general elections last year have not been addressed despite a lapse of nearly 11 months.
The PTI chief said around 122 state-run schools have been identified in the first phase of the programme which will receive funding from the general public in and outside the country. The programme will entail renovation of schools to provide them with adequate facilities.
Khan said a total of 14,000 schools from 28,000 lacked basic facilities including rooms, boundary walls and toilets. Through this programme, funds will be sent directly to the schools identified in the programme’s website.
Khan said once people start trusting the system like they trust Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital and Namal College, more funds will be generated and soon all the 14,000 schools will benefit from the programme.
Divulging details, Khan said a parent-teacher council would decide where the money would be utilised and a picture depicting the development work would be sent to the respective donor.
About Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s foreign tours with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Khan said this was the reason why the erstwhile East Pakistan used to call it the “Government of Punjab” instead of the Government of Pakistan.
He also expressed deep concerns over why electricity tariff was increased for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) despite it being one of the major hydro-power generating provinces.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak said he was not only saddened “but also ashamed” over the current situation of state-run educational institutions in the province.
“The day when students from private schools start enrolling in state-run schools will be the day I will accept that change has set in,” Khattak said, adding the government will not tolerate teachers’ absence from duty.
The Tameer-e-School programme has been launched in Peshawar, Mardan, Abbottabad, Nowshera and DI Khan districts. Besides PTI Central General Secretary Jehangir Tareen, United Bank Limited Senior Executive Director Syed Javed also donated Rs2.5 million for GGPS Duranpur.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 1st, 2014.
COMMENTS (18)
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No matter what you say about PTI or IK, looking at the picture above you cant have nothing but respect for this man and his Party. I have never seen a picture of Nawaz Sharif or Zardari sitting with children from poor families trying to make their life better. His dressing is also very simple and he genuinely looks like the man of the people. So much Respect for this man
@farooq: It is not agitation but protest and that too even after 12 month when the government and Judiciary did nothing in addressing the concerns of PTI regarding rigged election. PTI said numerous time that they have accepted the election result for democrasy but not the rigging and they will keep raise voice against that injustice.
No trust on this Master of U Turns.
First of all, Imran should learn the ethics of communication. He always uses abusive language for other politicians.
PTI is badly failed in KPK. No hope from PTI. Imran should leave the politics of agitation.
@ sabi If only you could read, or at least think/research before you write. This event was held on Wednesday 4.30pm....approx. 5 hours BEFORE COAS speech.
Imran always tell a lie. No trust on him. He is a big threat for democracy due to his politics of agitation.
Miss sabi IK said this yesterday at Tameer-e-School event before the speech of COAS and by the way IK protest on 11th May at D-Chowk in Islamabad is against election rigging.
Great Step IK & PTI. We stand by you for the bright future of masses inshaAllah.
KPK is the best govrned province in the whole country after the 11th May election which was rigged heavily otherwise PTI was ruling in Punjab as well.
Its Namal .. please correct!
@sabi: this was said in the afternoon before COAS speech.
@sabi: Hilarious is your comment. Coas speech happened last night & IK said all this during the day. I hope we get over the current Govt asap, we're done with tried & tested political parties. IK for PM!
They realize 'no need of mid term election' only after the speech of coas. Hilarious!!
Correction : Its Namal not Numl (National University of Modern Languages)
No matter what you say.
PTI all the way!
College established by Imran is "Namal College" not "NUML". Namal is not an acronym for "National University of Modern Languages", NUML is. The college is named Namal College because it is near Namal Lake on Talagang Mianwali Road.
No other politician talks with such sincerity, honesty and true feelings for the people of Pakistan. If there's one government we can trust, its the KPK govt. and the one party we trust is PTI, and for good reason.