File photo of PTI chief Imran Khan. PHOTO: QAZI USMAN
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that May 11 will mark the beginning of a movement against election rigging.
Talking exclusively to Express News, Imran said that his party has tried all legal methods for its rigging complaints and that now his party would take to the streets to register its protest.
“The PML-N government is frustrated – and in its frustration the party is seeking stay orders against the decision of election tribunals,” he said.
Imran that Article 6 of the Constitution should also be invoked against former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and all those who ‘stole democracy’.
According to a private TV channel, the PTI chief said that his party’s protest would continue until the whole electoral system was purged of all lacunas and loopholes.
“We demanded verification of voters’ thumbprint in only four out of 65 constituencies – only to identify problems in the system,” he said, adding that his party waited for one year – but was denied justice.
Imran said that the then-chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, also disappointed his party. “He [Iftikhar Chaudhry] wanted to hide rigging,” he added. “Those who steal democracy, in fact, steal the future of the nation. And Article 6 should be invoked against such people.
Imran said that the PTI was not calling for mid-term election. “We are not supporters of martial laws. We believe that martial law is not the answer for a bad democracy. We believe bad democracy should be rectified.
He said that rigging would continue unless the entire system was rectified. However, he warned that if the next elections were also rigged, then his party would not allow holding of elections in the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2014.
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If he is not asking for mid term elections then he should sit at home ...becuase then he already has accepted the rigging mentally.
It's clear that winning the election for IK is not the issue, it's the fact that there was rigging and the authorities did not recognise and punish those responsible. The principle of cheating is what is at stake here ,not whether it made a difference to the overall outcome. Or is it that for Pakistani's at large ,cheating has simply become a part of their culture and that is why the ex chief justice is comfortably in denial about his failure to ensure that the elections were fair The ruled and those ruling has gotten so used to living with and practicing injustice that when somebody like Imran Khan says zero tolerance for injustice they cannot appreciate or even consider his demand . Those in government , and their cronies in the judiciary and army want to hold onto power at all costs and those who are not are too passive to unite and fight against these oppressive forces. The existing set up is that none of these institutions are independent and they all have many fingers in the public purse . They don't serve the public and set an example and fulfill their obligations , they make sure to fill their own pait first then whatever crumbs are left , distribute generously among their loyal supporters. They steal and so the awaam learns to steal in turn and a self destructive tradition is created , a vicious cycle. Nothing short of an Inquilaab will change Pakistan for the better. Only then will the awaam be able to change , develop and become Educated enough to form a civilised, balanced justice friendly nation.
Why are PML so afraid of verification?
IK trying to divert people's attention from PTI failure in KPK.
@Shaikh Mohommad:
Khan's entire political career is based on anti American blather combined with unrealistic promises .. doubt that people believe that nonsense anymore. BTW you should note that the "free medical" offered in the UK is available because UK has some of the highest taxes in the World.
Keep it up, only hope for Pakistan!
People will come on the streets when they see that it is the matter affecting their daily lives or some important issue regarding freedom vs.slavery. He should start a movement for abolition of Jagirdari system in Pakistan. This affects directly the livelihoods of so many people in Punjab and Sindh. OR he should raise a slogan of freedom from interference by USA in the internal affairs of the country. People remember his famous statement regarding introduction of free health system in Pakistan similar to the one existing in United Kingdom. Such issues will bring the people on the street and make him a hero. Anyway let us see how the people respond on this issue. I may be wrong.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Good Job PTI