Express News screengrab of the press conference of PTI and PML-Q members on Wednesday afternoon in Islamabad.
ISLAMABAD: Speaking with the media Wednesday afternoon, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairperson Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) shares PTI's views on the integrity of the 2013 general elections.
This announcement comes just a day after the PTI and PML-Q discussed the formation of a grand alliance against the PML-N government.
“Both parties agreed that the current election commission has been unsuccessful in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility of conducting free and fair elections,” Qureshi said today. “Both parties agree that [members of the Election Commission of Pakistan] should step down.”
He said that both parties agree that free and fair elections are absolutely necessary for democracy, adding that "the mandate of the public is our democratic, constitutional and moral responsibility."
The PTI vice chairperson announced that a committee was being formed to examine existing laws and to develop a course of action on the basis of the 2013 general elections, adding that the committee will also work on developing national consensus about electoral reform.
He informed that the PML-Q had nominated two of its members for the four-member committee, Kamil Ali Agha and Tariq Bashir Cheema, while PTI had nominated Arif Alvi and Shafqat Mehmood.
“Today’s meeting was very productive,” he said, reiterating that both parties are in complete agreement about the issues discussed.
COMMENTS (58)
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For sure, the opportunist Imran Khan has LOST the sympathy of Aam Aadmi. I will never vote for the stooge of establishment.
May 2013 elections were quite free, fair and transparent. Fake propaganda of PTI. Imran lacks sportsman spirit so he is not accepting defeat. He was rejected by public. Youth voted for PML(N).
I think all problems of KPK will be resolved after this dirty alliance. KPK people did not vote PTI for making such alliance. I request Imran to please return my vote. Shame for PTI.
I don't know why people making big deal about this ??? its only an alliance for electoral reforms ??? everyone knows elections were rigged in 2013 mandate were stolen .. but it just makes me wonder what is the objective of so called intellectuals and liberals sitting here on ET and bashing PTI .. and wonder what they say when Nawaz and zardari meets .. when Fazlurehman get a minister ship ... and when 80% PML Q joins PML N .. and it makes me Laugh when these People call PTI an establishments party .. when your primenister is a product of pure Establishment Nursery .. Shame ..
IK is afraid of Exploding Popularity of Dr Tahir Ul Qadri and taking desperate initiatives. As Dr Qadris agenda has found wide spread support amongst the people of Pakistan so such moves will not help IK in the long run. With every passing day PTI is bound to loose Public Support as it has witnessed in lasst one year. PTI should factually be named as U TURNS PARTY. Supported Chief Justice and Now he is to be blamed, Wanted to have Elections Under Judiciary But now Blame Judiciary, Accepted the election Results But Now crying for 4 Seats, Hailed Geo and Now Geo is the culprit and so on and on.
PTI is ruling KPK only because of greatness of Nawaz Sharif. He could make the government but he respected mandate of PTI in KPK. The way he respected PTI's mandate, same way PTI should also respect PML-N mandate. But I know that PTI will never do so because a big heart is needed for it. And Imran does not have big heart. It was only Nawaz Sharif who suspended his election campaign when Imran fell from the lifter. I wish better relationship among all politicians for the betterment of Pakistan.
All those who are bashing PTI here, behold your horses. Nothing good wil come out of the elections if they will be conducted like May 11, 2013. Election Commission acknowledged that they could hold free and fair elections in Karachi, there were genuine reports of fraud in whole country. So it is need of hour to change the electoral system. FG Ibrahim is clean person but he could not hold elections which can be labelled as free and fair. This strongly suggests the change in whole system.
I think PTI has succeeded in combating Polio, corruption, lawlessness, poverty and ignorance in KPK. They have nothing to do now as all targets have been achieved. So now they decided to do electoral reforms as all other tasks have been completed.
These are opportunist. They are looking for some short cut. They cannot wait for 5 years. They are least concerned about Pakistan. Their only motive is to come into power and destroy the country.
Dirty politics of PTI. PTI candidate stood 4th or 5th in 160 federal and provincial constituencies. PTI did not contest elections in 105 constituencies. Still PTI thinks that they should win the elections. Still they blame the rigging as a reason for their defeat. Shame for PTI. They are non-democratic people.
Political orphans joining hands against PML-N. They can never succeed. Public support is with Nawaz Sharif.
Word "SHAME" is not in the dictionary of PTI.
What is wrong with this alliance? Why people are criticizing? Both supported Musharraf. Both fully supported Musharraf's referendum in which he got more than 90% vote and there was no rigging. Both were satisfied from the transparency and fairness of that referendum. What is wrong if they meet again. Both have same agenda of destabilizing democracy. Both have same agenda of disturbing the inflow of foreign investment in Pakistan. There is nothing wrong with this holy alliance of like-minded people.
No hope from these politicians backed by establishment. Only hope is Nawaz Sharif. May Allah give Nawaz Sharif long life. Allah bless Pakistan.
I feel pity for PTI supporters who have to defend every act of their leader whether that is right or wrong. Problem is that they do not use their own mind. They are just following Imran blindly. They should use their own mind as well.
The gathering of people who always stab in from behind. The choudrys are a disgrace to pakistan. One of them was a dupty PM .They made the election commission . opps now opposing it. good news for pakistan . IK needs to grow up in politics .
No party has ever accepted defeat in Pakistan. Same is being done by PTI. No difference between PTI and other parties. Dirty politics done by PTI. Shame.
Since partition, Pakistan progressed in only two eras. President Ayub Khan and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. There was no development in the remaining eras. Imran Khan and Company is afraid of what will they do in next elections if Nawaz Sharif ruled for five years and Pakistan progressed. All should be happy if Pakistan progresses. But Imran's priority is not Pakistan. His priority is Imran Khan only.
If PTI and PML-Q lose next elections even after electoral reforms then they will do more reforms. They are looking for short cuts to come into power. PML-N leaders were tortured in Musharraf era. They were sent to jails. They faced house-arrests. They had to leave the country. Nawaz Sharif was not allowed to attend the funeral of his father in Pakistan. After all these sacrifices, they have come into power. On the other hand, PTI is looking for a short cut with the help of establishment.
Stock Exchange of the country has started coming down and Imran is responsible for that. PTI's politics of agitation is responsible for that. I request Imran to please stop this politics of agitation as it is affecting our economy. But I know Imran will never understand it because he is very Dheet. Pakistan is not his priority. His priority is only his own personality.
PML-Q said that they would elect Musharraf in Uniform 10 times. Can such people do electoral reforms? And Imran is shaking hands with such politicians. It shows selfishness and greediness of Imran. He can go beyond all limits just to become PM of the country. Where is the vision of PTI now?
This is an alliance of Mush’s old supporters and men who were in King’s party. Punhchi whein pe khak jahan ka khmeer tha. What an alliance, IK, PTI, JI, Q league, now it needs Pir Pagara’s party. First take care of Mush by using the remnants of dictatorship then more lota would join PTI.
All those are gathering who lost elections. PML-Q was rejected by public because of their bad performance. Losers never accept defeat in Pakistan. This is the culture of Pakistan and Imran is part of this culture. No hope from these losers. What have they given to Pakistan?
Most people are taking this as some political sin by PTI; this is not a sin, this is politics. When PTI wasn't taking anyone in, people viewed it as IK's obstinacy which was bound to lead him nowhere. Now that he is making alliances, they are branding him as part of establishment. Foolish public!
Common PTI supporters. This is NOT the electoral alliance, just seeking support of other parties on same agenda. It does make sense!
Yes we need election reforms, everyone who is with it should be on board. Only riggers will oppose it.
These usual suspects and their handlers perched at Aabpara can try as much they want but Mush will not be given a safe exit nor is PML-N going anywhere. Hence as the great baba-e-jamhooriat Chaudhry Shujaat would say Matti Pao tay Roti Khao.
Establishment in full action. Shame for Imran Khan as he has forgotten all his ideology.
PTI finally doing what they should have been doing on May 12, 2013. Instead of focusing on disagreements with other political parties such as MQM, JUI-F, JI, PMLQ, ANP, etc PTI should focus on point of agreements and shared goals. This way they could win support of other opposition parties and move forward for various kind of reforms with one item at a time. For whole sale reform PTI need an overwhelming majority like PMLN and in absence of such majority, they should work with other opposition parties on one item at a time policy. Such as starting with Election reform.
What a sight of grand alliance! It's height of desperation from PTI. I am losing any hope from PTI revolutionaries.
Our giant neighbor of over one billion can hold elections peacefully, while we crib over every elections results.
@Mayor: PML(N) having members and ministers who were goons of Musharraf.
Now What to say about this ... I think this is real CHANGE... they show us their true faces against Democracy and Pakistan.
Nothing will happen all drama being done just to give safe exit to mush !
Only someone from rural Punjab can grasp the value of this master stroke by PTI.
What a shameful alliance.
All parties should help Imran to change the voting system......
It is not a "status-quo" party.... so nothing wrong!
its a good initiative by PTI on taking PML-Q in confidence over electoral reforms.
Interesting to see Javed Hashmi standing with the chaudhrys, who stood aside and enjoyed all the perks of power when Hashmi was thrown in jail by Musharraf and tried for treason.
What has happened to PTI?. Why is it lowering it's stands to this extent.
Besides the agreed points on the election commission, we should have nothing to do with them.
Bravo! see what IK can do for "justice". Hail IK, Hail New Pakistan
There are numerous U Turns of Imran. So this is one more.
Very disappointing allowance. Both parties do not have roots in public. Both are puppets of establishment.
The forum of National Assembly is there. Any reform can be presented before Assembly for discussion. Members of Assembly can approve the reforms. Imran want to make reforrms on the roads.
First time PTI is playing like a star athlete. PTI should build alliances in Punjab to stop fraud in future elections. The party created by General Jilani and Zia-ul-haq otherwise will keep winning by conducting sham elections. In Sind, PTI already has decent players in Urban area (JI etc) to challenge MQM in urban area but they should communication line open with MQM and don't let it go anti-pti before next mid-term elections.
PML-Q? The party that comprises of lotas? It's only apt that PTI is joining hands with them ;)
One question for this grand alliance of establishment zeros. What was the point of May 11 protest if you were going to form a committee at the end of the day? Useless committees which only meet twice, according to SMQ.
Waiting for pti supporters to say a word in favor of these revolutionists. They always make fun of pmln and ppp supporters that they defend their leaders, today its your turn. i am sure you will never question stupidity and uturns of your leader, why would you?
Oh btw i am a proud PMLN supporter and voter and i am proud of what PMLN is doing to undone the damage by the above group who used to say they will elect musharraf 10 times in uniform.
I hope they are singing swan song.good bye status quo.
out of total 5 ppl in PMLQ, two are in this committee. What a joke. ab EC ka chairman Musharraf ko lagwa do
Next time they will come with DPC to show more muscles.look at the picture and hopelessness.
For example head of the state must be a dictator so that you people face least resistance or better to say zero resistance for detail see 2002 election.you are all part of status quo smelling your political death in democratic set up.feel sorry for that but you losers Pakistan has to move forward for a better future. Hep hep hurray!
Imran and his party members are seriously getting on my nerves now. I don't know why I voted for him. Seriously, shame on you, the government has much more important issues it needs to take care of. Look at what's going on in the country. Kuch sharam karloh.
Now a PTI delegation needs to visit PPP, JUI and MQM to make it truly inclusive and Imran Khan to admit all he had been saying for years was not waht he actually meant!
PTI and PLM Q cannot slove people problems , they are togather only for themself.
Birds of a feather flock together. This is a beautiful sight. Finally, Pakistan's only hope - Pakistan Army - has managed to bring together their two best candidates for real democracy is Pakistan. The two men are Sir Shujaat Husain and Sir Imran Khan. Long live Pakistan Army.