Imran Khan. PHOTO: FILE
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has said his party will reveal who it plans to raise charges against in a news conference today (Saturday). He made the announcement in an exclusive interview with Express News on Friday.
Appearing on the Express News programme ‘Takrar’, the PTI chief accused the ruling PML-N of coming to power through ‘match-fixing’.
“A government which comes to power through rigging and does not have the people’s mandate is least interested in solving their problems,” he said.
Imran claimed the PML-N government was creating hindrances before election tribunals in order to prevent them from presenting their findings before the party finished its tenure in power. He added that the PML-N feared a probe into the four constituencies specified by PTI would unravel the ‘poll-farce’.
The PTI chief added that contrary to its vocal stance over the issue before the May 2013 elections, the PML-N has made no effort to recover the money stolen from the national exchequer since coming to power.
Imran also accused the prime minister of being solely concerned about his foreign trips and ignoring the affairs of the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2014.
COMMENTS (61)
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PTI is an ultimate loser. They should accept the defeat and concentrate on KPK.
PTI should stop doing fake propaganda. These were quite free and fair elections. All independent surveys forecasted clear majority win of PML-N. PTI should wait till 2018 as PTIs next defeat is due in 2018.
@sadia: You are right Sadia - this papers seems being acquired by N-league.
@Mirza: You should also learn from the Indian elections that have been and are free with no rigging. Don't compare Pak Elections with Indians - grow up man.
@Jaar_Waziristan: I don't see a wise person in you also. He got 8-million votes and what have you got.
@Saleem: As per your definition the matures like NS are also corrupt and the result of election rigging. Your advice is to move on and have another rigged elections in 2018.
No loser in Pakistan accepts his defeat in Pakistan. Imran is also doing the same. Nothing different. Imran does not sportsman spirit. Infact Imran should have congratulated Nawaz Sharif on winning the elections but such gesture can never be expected from narrow-minded Imran.
He is the worst politician I have ever seen. Stock Exchange is coming down because of his politics of agitation. He does politics for himself only.
This immature guy Imran Khan will never grow up!!
Imran Khan is worried from rising popularity of PML-N. Imran is worried that if PML-N works continuously for 5 years, PTI will be defeated again in 2018 elections. I appreciate PML-N team who is working with full dedication for Pakistan. Allah bless Pakistan.
I dislike IK because he never respects self-respect and dignity of others. He thinks that he is an angel. He has no right to do baseless and proof-less criticism against others.
Imran is trying his best to hide his failure in KPK. PTI will not be elected in KPK next time.
This man is always crying. He always talks non-sense.
May 11, 2013 elections were quite free, fair and transparent. PTI is doing baseless criticism. All independent surveys (Gallup, IRI, Economist) forecasted clear victory of PML-N before elections. Imran should accept the defeat with open heart.
PTI is doing criticism for the sake of criticism. There is nothing constructive in PTIs criticism. Their opposition is just making noise.
KPK has an independent police, KPK has implemented laws that exist no where else in Pakistan. Results of Sehat ka Insaaf already encouraging. Also its KPK that produces surplus energy in Pakistan yet is deprived of its revenue by federal govt which owes several years worth of royalties to the province. PTI has demanded verification on four seats for a year now and courts have not responded. Democratic protest is the parties right just as PMLN used to before coming into power.
@sadia: You are right. Better know who owns this newspaper and you will not be surprised.
@Jaar_Waziristan: Your comments also show your level.
@Mirza: You forgot that the election commission of India is independent and there has been no election rigging in India. We should grow up and make the Pakistan Election Commission Independent and autonomous.
@Saleem: Grow up IK and accept the rigging. Is it a joke or advice? In this way NS and others can rig the next elections.
What's the matter with this man? He is behaving like a kid whose candy got stolen. He should get on with the business of governing KPK instead of throwing tantrums.
Mian Sahib should thank Allah Almighty millions of times a day for giving him this opposition leader.
@Sultan Mehmood:
LOL are you being serious?? Taking more loans and going on a foreign trip every month is smart politics?? Man you mist be getting some nice contracts handed over to love PMLN and their shitty politics of foreign debt. Wake up and open your eyes to the rigging that took place last year, happened in front of my very own eyes and I won't be keeping quiet. Your government is in a rut, they are borrowing left eight and centre to set up new projects just like the yester years. Imran khan will be getting his right full votes soon whether PMLN accepts it or not.
@PTI friends who call neutral commentators as paid agents, change has come. Like it or not. Take your time to realize it. Birds from IK's hot nest are flying away, they need a cool place to settle in where they can live with peace of mind
@Vikrum Singh, Your comment also suggests that you are across the border who has little or less knowledge about the subject. Fortunately for you, there are no khufiya hath in your country or namaloom afraad so your naive and positive thinking on our politics is still appreciated.
IK is taking a good initiative and setting a trend so that no vote rigging takes place in future elections. Pakistan is going through a democratic maturity and this will go a long way. Good job
Just one look at the man, you know he is something.
What a personality Mr. Imran Khan, Long Live Khan we will support you to our death, you have awaken the whole nation and given us a chance to change our fate.
We shall always be there for you.
@All PTI haters
The solution is very simple, it has been a full year now since PTI has put forward to recount the votes verified by thumb impression in only 4 NA seats.
If the election was not rigged just do it, all will be proved. If the election was rigged then punish those who were responsible, so that this does not happen ever again and make electoral reforms. What is immature or irresponsible in this???
for those who talk about the performance of PTI in KPK, please visit KPK or read netural mainstream journalist, or at least bother reading international media who are raiting the KPK government of this term the best ever.
No wonder we the people of Pakistan are stuck with the shameful approach of giving turns to Nawaz and Zardari family.
Where they hand in hand say that Pakistan is to be ruled by their next generations "Bilawal, Hamza Shabaz, Kalsoom Nawaz as if they owe Pakistan and we are their subjects, what kind of democracy is this?????
Have you ever met your MNA or MPA???
Do you dont know what is the count of Land Cruisers, he owns
Wake up Pakistan Wake Up
Election was totally farce. If it was not, PMLN should have no worries in getting the 4 constituencies re-checked. Even PMLN threatened NADRA for thumb prints verification.
All those commenters who are comparing congress loss in India, shows how immature and un-informed they are. Indian elections are held by 100% digital counters, with thump prints that any one can check any time, and no false paper-votes can be casted, which has been the strength of PMLN and PPP.
If you all do not want to proceed towards true democracy, then it is your decision. True democracy is only achieved through fair elections and IK is dam right when he doesnt bend down for other the cause he trusts.
@A2Z really please tell me how many power projects have been set up in KPK so far? how many criminals of D.I khan jail break have been arrested?Has corruption ended in 90 days in KP? wasnt PTI supposed to hold local body elections in 90 days? I seem to have missed all these good news from KP..
To all those bashing pti stance....consider this: Imagine if your son/daughter/brother/sister etc was sitting a test for a job. They see another candidate cheating. The other candidate scores higher and gets the job. Would your advice still be to accept the results and move on?
Do you want to be known as a nation of cheaters?
His hunger for PM seat had made him mad. Whatever he is saying shows well how much he is well wisher of Pakistan.
@Vikrum Singh:
Unfortunately, this is precisely the difference between educated Indians and our pseudo-intellects. Had our electoral process been as water-tight as India's, no IK would have been required to take to the streets.
Performance in KP, one year delay in raising voice, 'hidden agenda', derailing democracy blah blah are all desperate attempts to escape reviewing the four constituencies. Heed to this little demand of IK, and spend your remaining years in peace. Govt. is digging its own grave by these dilatory and evasive tactics.
Hmmm, thanks to IK I am more inclined to support PPP, at least they are mature politicians.
Correction to the last comment "He's doing the right thing"
@Vikrum Singh: I was just talking with some friends yesterday about the Indian elections. How come no one there ever says the elections were rigged? Because the Indian authorities have oversight and accountability with bio-metric voting systems where the margin for error is minimal! This is what Imran Khan is talking about - put in place proper systems so that voter fraud is minimized if not eradicated! But the current rulers of course don't want that and of course they will use every trick they know to avoid implementing a fool proof system for elections. Its clear as heck what agenda they are on. They will use the media (of course ET won't publish this comment but I will write anyway) to gain their interests and try to turn the public perception against the one man who has the guts to say enough is enough. IK knows he won't become PM even if all the votes are recounted. He just wants that the next elections are fair because he did manage to bring non-political people like myself out to vote on May 11, 2013. He doesn't want to let them down. Thats the real issue! Congrats to India for holding a free and fair election in a population of over 1.2 billion! Thats an achievement in itself and hope the new Indian gov't works for the prosperity of South Asia.
Give him chance at least.
@Vikrum Singh: It's pretty much true, people here just accusing him for what he is doing at the moment, instead of standing for the real democracy and for the reforms in the voting pattern that can bring a positive change and then no one can complain about the rigged elections. All PML-N and their followers want is to complete their 5 year term by hook or by crook.
For a political view I am against PTI, but in this I support them fully to bring reforms in the polling norms.
People who say to move on and forget, no leg pulling etc... why have elections then?
Desperate attempts to stay alive politically, mr. Attention Seeker is unable to show anything in KPK so naturally has to give an interview every other day and bash government
Imran Khan please stop crying all the time. Im really sick of your childish behavior
I am from across the border, but its amazing to see comments from (educated?) people who are actually dissing someone who is raising his voice AGAINST flagrant injustice and violation of all democratic norms. It seems Pakistanis are very content with those "elected" to power by cheating not only the system but the very people whom they are supposed to be serving. No wonder Pakistan is where it is today... My heart goes out to those who are fighting for TRUE democracy in Pakistan, and to all those who came out to vote in massive numbers only to find their vote snatched.
What is he doing? He's doing the right the we voted and our vote was changed then we had to vote again we all are aware of what happened last year. Chill out
Waaaa, Waaa, Waaa IK says the election was rigged everywhere (except where PTI won seats of course)!!!!
@faysal, you need to read alternative media to find the good things being done in KPK. Biased mainstream media will not show you anything. They are doing lot better than the so called experienced one.
Someone once said. "The only disability in life is a bad attitude". Listening to you I understood what he meant.
For all those bashing Imran, if government is really backed up by the popular vote then why there is a fear of opening up the constituencies? If PML-N's leaders are so much confident in their votes they should not be hiding behind the stay orders and let the proper investigation take place instead of cowering behind the 5 year term.
First please let Nawaz Sharif grow then ask others to grow as others are just the beginners in front of him taking into account that he is in politics since early 80's but still he is very much immature for his stature.
As for the public opinion, why don't you let the polls rechecked and respect the public opinion in full rather bragging about the popular sentiment.
PPl who comment here , dont even read the article just start blaming Ik for everything. Common guys which Media Cell is funding you ?
PML N government is in talks with Swiss authorities to bring the money back. Besides, very important foreign trips, termed successful and important by independent analysts, there is a whole shebang of development projects on energy and infrastructure. There is not one notable thing done which can be shown by PTI government in KPK. Imran Khan is being extremely stupid here, and with this being kept up, he won't win even 03 seat in next election against almost 30 of May 11. What an embarrassment to all the young supporters. It is such shame so man voted for this kind of person.
Can't believe some of the comments here. ... The elections were rigged and Imran Khan mandate was stolen! Time to wake up and support true democracy which is by the people! Comparing our elections to India us like apples to oranges, indian elections are computerized with no margin for rigging! Democracy does not mean that we allow thugs to buy electoral votes and rule above us! Learn what democracy is before putting in stupid comments
Imran khan should accept rigging because there is nothing else that can be done
Express tribune comment moderator only puts in comments bashing IK and PTI.
He endorsed the government over the course of nearly 1 year - especially on the issue of ttp and one day decided to adopt the confrontational path... And now he has conveniently forgotten negotiations with ttp, knowing his logic/narrative has failed, and moved onto a different agenda. Regarding the rigging, we are atill waiting on the MI Brigadier's name that he ckearly said was to be named on 11th May.
What an absolute idiot r u Mr. Khan.
By claiming that whole electuon 2013 was a farce nd,IK is insulting all those voters who queued up all day to vote in hot weather.please respect public opinion..keep in mind its not the elites only who vote..villagers vote has also equal importance.grow up IK
IK says the government which comes to power through rigging is least interested in doing anything for public..what good has been achieved in KPK so far? what should we think of that govt then?
King Khan should learn from Indian leaders who have never tried to undo the will of the people despite the worst defeat in the history. Prior to this election BJP also graciously accepted the defeat. In the new Pakistan elections are never over and the results are not accepted by the losers. Does IK think that elections in India or any other country are perfect? Some leaders think they are the servants of people and some think they are born to rule.
Please grow up and move on. Good or bad, it is time for unity and not pulling legs. No matter what you say or do this is not your time. Unless you change yourself and show maturity and some results you will loose next election as well. And then no one to be blamed but yourself.