Express News screen grab of Imran Khan from the press conference.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday slammed the government's Punjab-centric policies, Express News reported.
The PTI chief said North Waziristan is being treated as though it is not a part of Pakistan. "People from North Waziristan are calling me up every day and complaining that they don’t feel at home in Pakistan,” the PTI chief said.
“The IDPs are heading to Afghanistan now,” he added.
Imran was addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
Furthermore, Imran compared people living in Balochistan to those living in East Pakistan before separation.
“When I went to play cricket in the under-19 category before the military operations in East Pakistan, I was told by the people there that they are being treated as a separate colony,” he said.
The PTI chief went on to complain about the rigging in the 2013 elections and added that all investment is going towards Punjab while other provinces are being ignored.
“It looks like Punjab is Pakistan,” he said.
COMMENTS (73)
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I am from Punjab , i voted for IK and now i feel ashmed of it.Welcome Imran Khan to Zardari , Altaf Hussain and Sheikh Mujib ur Rehman club.
A failed attempt to hide failure in KPK. Imran is the worst politician I have ever seen. He never respects self-respect of others. He never give respect to political opponents. He is only concerned about himself. He can do anything and blame anyone just for his personal benefit. I don't find words to condemn this man. He has done nothing good for KPK and Pakistan.
Well said Imran Khan. We are with you for your fight against PMLN vote rigging and polices; MQM's dirty politics; incompetent leaders like the sharif brothers and Bhutto's. In Imran Khan Pakistan trusts.
I am in two minds on this subject. On the one hand, I will always remember how enthusiastically common Punjabis embraced Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (a sindhi) in the 1970 elections. Bhutto got more votes in Punjab than even in Sindh.
On the other hand, it is hard to forget how Punjabi establishment eagerly became the tools for the dictator Ziaul Haq to get Bhutto hanged. The "bench" assembled by Maulvi Mushtaq to try Bhutto in the Lahore High Court was packed with Punjabis. The Supreme Court which untimately paved the way for Bhutto to be hanged had a majority of Punjabis. In fact, the four judges who ruled against Bhutto, Anwar-ul haq, Karam Elahi Chuhan, Muhammad Akram, and Naseem Hasan Shah were all Punjabis.
I guess the ultimate lesson is not to generalize about Punjabis or any other group. Punjabis don't think or act alike any more than Sindhis, Baluchis, Pathans, Indians, Americans, Arabs or any other group. If you simply treat each person you meet on his or her character you can't go wrong.
Can not understand what he want. Always crying. Who stopped sindh Govt to bulid layari Express way. Stuck up since years and they can not clear 5 km land for the road. Peace in Karachi is Sindh responsiblity not Punjab. Pathatic government in Sindh.
Where Billions of ruppee in Baluchistan went. Did Nawaz Sherif run away by taking that money. All went in corruption. Who stop Imran Khan to make KPK Paradise. Then all people of Punjab would vote for him. At least Nawaz Government is doing some thing. Let them deliver for five years. If then can not deliver kick them out.
@abid: Imran Khan is stooping to new lows by playing to the audience of division. His provincial government controls KPK so why can't they do anything positive there or is it just easier to complain. Why not show us what can be done by leading KPK? Sorry but my disappointment in him just keeps growing.
No need for any Punjabis to get offended by this. Imran Khan's comments are directed towards politicians from Punjab (which by the way are absolutely true), not ordinary Punjabi people. The poverty in Punjab the same as the rest of Pakistan. Frustrates me so much how these dirty, dirty politicians have been messing with our country and these lying, deceitful PML-n people are no better. Imran Khan our prime minister, InshAllah!
I am just wondering from where Imran Khan is getting all this money to spend on his Jalsaas and jaloos.
I am also concerned with the attitude of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance and all other ministries operated by CHOTTA CHEETAN (Sharif Junior). But my concern lie also with the mindset and attitude of the His Excellencies Bhuttos, Zardaris, Syeds and Shahs of Colonial SINDH. What is stopping them from building roads, shools, hospitals, bridges, dams, electric projects etc.sss. They (The Colonial Masters) are getting the highest share in GST and agreed budget amount. The difference in behavior of CHOTTA CHEETAN and Colonial masters is that former is SPENDING in Development to "EARN" and the latter is EARNING in SUSPENDING Development.
Oh Imran Khan, why cant you just mind your own business why are your trying to highlight the truth.
These people cannot understand you and what you have to say, we the nation only wakes up when its already done and dusted, why are you trying to be a sincere leader and save Balochistan, now we will label you as Balochistan Khan.
What difference does it makes if Balochistan, Fata, KPK, Rural Sindh and Karachi are been ignored, at least NS is taking SS on every foreign trip to make sure that the people of Punjab prosper. While all other provincial CM's are on their own or even in some cases been defied of their rights.
Love you Imran Khan for being so brave to always have spoken the truth, however be ready to be bashed from PMLN paid strollers.
@Khan: There should not be any hard feelings, but one should accept the fait accompli, what does not belong to each other cannot grow together. Bacha Khan prophecy is coming true; KPK and Baluchistan must separate from Punjab and Rajistan for every ones good:
Rex Minor
@Hamayun: Historically northern districts of Attock Mianwali and areas of Rawalpindi district were not part of present day Punjab nor can the Siraiki belt be considered Punjab - people of those areas can consider it an insult if called Punajbi - so which Punjab are you worried about?
@Hamayun: northern districts of Attock, Mianwali and some areas of Rawalpindi district were not even part of present day Punjab nor can the Siraiki belt be called Punjab - people of those areas consider it an insult if called Punjabi so please define which Punjab you want to be left alone.
@Caresless Whispers: @it seems you don't understand what he's demanding.
ET: Why you not posting my comments????????
what a shameful country where criminals come into power by rigging just to protect every corrupt in Pakistan atleast imran is struggling hard to recount 4 halkay which is very important for the future of Pakistan
I wonder if he could express sympathy with those effected by terrorism the same way he do with terrorists. A complete disappointment to his voters.
@abid: There is no such thing as narrow vision. These people are just visionless literally, by calling a crowd of tens of thousands as just few thousands.
Mr. Imran, I am from KPK and I voted for PTI. Please reply me. Where is that new KPK that was promised by you to be set up within 90 days? Now you have failed even after one year. So you decided to blame other provinces. Please give my vote back to me.
Salute to the only brave leader of Pakistan for telling the truth right in the face of establishment who happens to be full of people from Punjab.
Imran is right..its not even Punjab..it's Lahore centric..urban development dikhao Showbaz Sharif ban jao..go and see the haal of punjab's villages ..l16-18 hour load shedding..militancy..PMs ki 23 crore cars and 260 million rupee worth of foreign trips..50 crore spent on himself Alone and his showbaazi.. On top of that wow paki logic..all of this sums to political maturity..and a guy who fights all of this and remains clean is called an immature politician and a cry baby? Keep voting for your pmln PPP and mqm..you deserve the shackles..hamza shahbaz and bilawal Bhutto in line..their children will keep ruling over you dynastically..driving you and slaughtering your rights like sheep.
My 2nd attempt to post . . . Imran Khan right Bowlta Hai and right bat karta hai.
After reading and listening Imran, no sane man can vote for PTI next time. PTI is an utter failure in KPK. PTI is doing the politics of blaming, accusing and abusing others. They are not focused that is why there is so much corruption in KPK. There is nothing good in KPK.
@AnonPashtun:
We have been accused of such things since 1947. Before saying anything bad for Punjabis do correct ur knowledge about Rulers of Pakistan. ..
All of them were from other provinces except Nawaz Sharif (actually a Kashmiri). Wake up brother. ..think who started this War and who is going to end this...
last 15 years were u sleeping? ?
How Musharaf and Zardari Looted Pakistan, we have reached such a miserable condition today...
Its a Punjabi who is starting Projects all over Pakistan whereas in last govt Nandipur Machinery was blocked in Karachi Port...can u tell Y???
Punjab was most badly hit by load shedding, even we are the ones who Pay your Bills as well...
It doesn't stop here. ..sacrificing for others is in our blood...
Next time you criticise do think who you are talking about. ..
@Caresless Whispers: Well done... keep bombing the tribals and criticising anyone who complains.... what could possibly go wrong!
This actually proves his point.... why is nobody carrying out military operations in Jhang and other areas of south punjab where there is militancy? Because civilian casualties there would not be acceptable. But because Waziristan is far away such casualties seem to be perfectly acceptable to everyone....
@Ammar: A sad day for the country when people are quoting Shehbaz Sharif...!
There is only solution of the issue. Appoint Shehbaz Sharif as Chief Minister of KPK. Everything will be all right. Imran Khan, his CM and entire PTI cannot handle KPK.
@AnonPashtun:
What about Sindh? We also demand referendum.
Rona Dhona politics of PTI. They can do nothing and blame others. Shame.
Imran has started politics of hate and lingual differences. What a dirty man he is. What a dirty politics is he doing. Biggest shame for Imran. All this in an attempt to hide failure in KPK.
Telling the truth. I have started to like him.
To all fellow intellects on this forum, who are requesting deliverance in KPK by Imran Khan.....
KPK is responsibility of it's provincial leadership not National Assembly Member i.e. Imran Khan.
Yes it is right that PAKISTAN National Assembly has become Punjabi Assembly after election.
Imran Khan..........You said what I started feeling after these Punjabi's took over the parliament.
For some reason it's always Punjab that is the factor for Pakistan destruction (Bengalis blamed Punjabi's for the separation, Afghans and HINDUS blame Punjabi's for the interference in their countries and now KPK is also feeling alienation).
Things are getting in wrong direction unless Punjabi's in National Assembly start thinking like PAKISTANIS.
Time for KP/FATA/Balochistan referendum has arrived (similar to Crimea).
Pakistan is a corrupt Punjab centric mercenary state that conducts airstrikes in KP/FATA/Balochistan. As long as Punjab is peaceful, they don't care
I would like to quote SS
"Well done is better than well said"
Show some performance and then talk about others neither believe me in next elections u will be white washed...
@Concerned Pakistani: I agree totally with you - he is such an immature cry baby.. has not and never will recover from losing the elections.. one only needs to look at his track record. Rather than make KP an example, instead protest street calls.. In case he is not aware, it is N Waziristan from where terrorism is emanating, having killed many in Peshawar and other parts of Pakistan. Wish our armed forces all the success of the world to wipe out this horrific menace. Drones were killing terrorists precisely; have been discontinued it seems thanks to IK in part, the air force bombings unfortunately will have far more civilian deaths. It was IK's policy pressures and choice - as there is no other option but these two. Not while the terrorists continue to kill with impunity. I for one am totally against negotiations with those who have the blood of thousands on their hands - let justice prevail.
@Concerned Pakistani: Grow up IK like other politicians and go on a looting spree like NS and Zardari to build your own empire. Then the Concerned Pakistanis will start loving you.
@Hamayun: It is not even Punjab. Lahore is attracting all the help and money. Even the people of southern Punjab are also treated as 2nd class Punjabis.
@NS: Partially agree. The lifestyle scribes would have gone gaga, but the mainstream media would have accorded the importance a leader of 180 million people deserved as NS got. IK has telegenic face, but he will be taken seriously if he talks sense on substantive issues, particularly if he takes an independent line.
If instead of Pakistan, Capital or Punjab is only cared, People will Migrate from different Provinces and will concentrate in Punjab and Capital and atlas all will have pain. So every pakistani should be equal treated and funds should be allocated on Population base. And migration from different provicen should not be allowed or limited.
Oh, while the PM of Pakistan has come to enjoy the fruits of India, the Kundalini , the awakening and the awakened ones, in Pakistan: A Pakthoon revolution led by Shri Imran Khan has begun.The Sons of Gandhari and the Sakas now are enlightening themselves to know the folly of the religion from Arabia.Yes, there has to be the end for something new to begin.The Rule of India from Lanka to the Borders of Turkey will be a reality soon.Pakistan should embrace their new role as a support state.
LOL...IK is a Punjabi pretending to be a Pakhtun.
Embrace your culture IK.
He is finding space to score some points. In reality he has lost trust of common Pakistani. Khan Sb think broader than just derailing democracy for the sake of PM chair
And why is the focus of the tsunami/rallies/dharna only in Punjab??
I am from Lahore, and what I see is that for Mian baradaran Pakistan is Lahore,Pindi,Muree.
They dont care about the rest of Punjab or Pakistan.
jahan siri paya milai ga sirf wahan kaam ho ga ..
This man always complains for something each day. Looks like he has nothing good in his life except his own party.
Why is there not one law in the country?
Federal government is no where to be seen.
IK is turning into a total loose cannon. So now playing anti-punjab politics. Where does he think his vote bank needs to be?
imran khan really doesnot aound like a mature leader. he needs to think before he speaks. i acknowledge the fact that he is a patriot, but he just cannot say anything that comes to his mind. i dont need to mention how many times he just said whatever and then either took it back or made stories to control the damage done.
But my dear Khan, isn't it the glorious army launching an operation in Waziristan while the party you abhor is trying to get a peace deal going without any help from you? And my dear Kaptaan, the armed forces of this country have 40% Pashtuns among their officers, many of them hailing from the tribal areas, and specifically Waziristan. Dear Kaptaan, why do you have to play these little games?
Pretty shameful statement from Imran Khan. Why he never mentioned anything like this when PPP,ANP and MQM were doing the politics of the other kind in the last five years?. Also Somebody should tell Imran Khan what is meant by 18th amendment. Every province have enough funding for development but it is very easy to blame others for your own shortcomings.
Go back to UK and play cricket, Mr. Khan
Gaddani, Dasu, Gawadar trade corridor are Pakistan centric
He is so right
"It looks like Punjab is Pakistan."
Let's change the name to Punjabistan and make it official.
Ok so now he admits that investment is actually coming but his complain now is why its only restricted to punjab..earlier he said govt is doing nothing..With each passing day,the confusion and deperation of this man is increasing steadily.work nd let others work IK!!
For once he makes sense…Pakistan is ruled by Punjabis, and Mohajirs, Sindhis, Baluch, Kashmiri and Pakhtuns are discriminated by the central government.
Is this Pakistan or Punjabistan?
the answer lies in the fact that PTI's KPK CM has to come to lahore to tell media of their projects.
Why is that everyone blames punjab for directing all investments in that region. It is high time that Punjabi dominated politicians understand that they need to focus on whole of Pakistan not only on selected areas of Punjab. If it contniues that we don't need to predict what will happen in the future. Conversion of East Pakistan to Bangladesh is a recent history.
Shame that these polticians still haven't learnt anything from it.
He seems to have lost his marbles. There are few questions he need to ask himself: * Why IDPs are not going to other parts of KPK instead of Afghanistan. Why they prefer Afghanistan over KPK * If investment is going to Punjab then what about your claims of KPK being investment paradise * the way he is arranging protest, it seems that problems are only in Punjab (Rawalpindi-Islamabad protest, Faisalabad protest and Sialkot protest) * If there are problems in other provinces why dont he go there and protest or do something actual on ground in KPK
I read him saying in rally that current govt obtained loans of USD50 Billion compared with total of all previous debts of USD60 Billion. Who is feeding him such baseless information and he is conveying it without a shred of verification, and his party in turn spreading without any thought. How on earth Pakistan can get loans worth USD50billion in one year? It would require a miraculous improvement in reputation and credit rating of Pak government. By the way USD60 Billion is overall foreign debt and govts share is USD52Billion including provinces and govt companies and authorities.
sir you are great...
Day by day IK words are getting bad to verse, can't understand who's agenda now he is carrying. He must know Punjab was n is crewed from the day of Independence. Above all he should also know PM-Pakistan and CM in Punjab are both Kashmiries not punjabi's. With respect to other provinces, IK should ask heads of these provinces what they did with that funds given to them by centre n why there's no development in these provinces. It's ironic n some what pathetic that IK comparing East Pakistan n other situations with present. Please IK check your head are you working for one Pakistan or plans are verse than Bhutto?
Imagine Imran Khan as PM visiting India !! he would have an unprecedented impact with his personality and attitude... Nawaz Sharif looked like a goof reading from notes.
Imran khan needs to act as a mature political leader and stop politics of agitation. If he has problems solve them in a democratic way through the assemblies. Street politics is only leading to further instability in Pakistan and Imran Khan is looking more and more like a little cry baby. Grow up Mr.Khan and start delivering in KPK and then contest the election based on your performance.
You are 100% right, We salute you the Brave Khan
Please go and fight Polio in KPK. Leave Punjab alone!
Rotay hee rehna...
SHOW BETTER WORK IN KP
Its Just because of PML-N Narrow Vision only...
Remember 18th Amendment Mr Khan!