PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has asked for the resignations of the party's Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) before an upcoming National Assembly session on August 4, Express News reported.
The MNAs will hand over their resignations to the party chief during a parliamentary meeting two hours before the NA session in Islamabad, according to PTI MNA Engineer Hamid Ul Haq.
On August 13 -- a day before PTI's 'Azadi' march on Independence Day -- Imran will present the MNAs' resignations to the NA speaker, the MNA said.
Haq also said that 17 MNAs from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) were committed to handing over their resignation to the party chief. Out of a total of 34 PTI MNAs, 17 are from K-P on general seats and four on reserved seats, eight are from Punjab on general seats and two on reserved seats, while one member is from Sindh and another from Fata.
According to sources, the PTI chief is focusing on giving the government a final ultimatum to meet his demands. It was also revealed that Imran plans to hold a press conference after the NA session on August 4 to announce the options he is willing to give the government.
Recently, Imran altered his demand for thumb verification of votes in four constituencies polled during the May 2013 elections and asked for a complete audit of votes. PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi took it a step further, demanding mid-term polls.
Sources say that if the demands are not met, the PTI would continue to hold their long march in the capital city.
There have been reports in the media of back-channel talks between the government and the PTI, with the former urging Imran Khan to delay his long march. Imran, however, has said the time for negotiations with the government is over.
He acknowledged that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had accepted his party’s demands, but the offer had come too late.
“Now we’ll meet on August 14,” Imran had said.
800 registration camps to be set up in Punjab: Imran
The PTI chief has written a letter to his party members regarding the preparations of the August 14 Azadi march, stating that 800 registration camps would be set up in Punjab, Express News reported.
The camps would be set up on August 6 and 7, after which there would be motorcycle rallies everyday.
The letter also said that results of the 18-year struggle would be seen, and that every party worker must play their part.
He said this would be the 'final round', and that August 14 would witness a revolution.
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This man is a total failure feeling ashamed of voting for him
@Adnan Siddiqi:
If you are going to quote history then please do so honestly.
I still remember the time when Imran Khan supported Musharraf and sat in his lap. It was later on that he developed differences with him.
Please cut this nonsense and resign from National and provincial seats, if that is what you wish to do. No one is forcing you to not resign. After all what you parliamentarian have done in last One year beside withdrawing salaries.
Please tell the nation what they got in return for that salary, start with yourself. How many "minutes" you spent in parliament in last one year, and how much was paid to you and what did you do?
pmln : one word ... Panic
You can witness a New KPK after more than one year. Everyone is very happy no problems in this province. All his promises are false. Now he wants to destroy Pakistan. No one is asking him where is New KPK, on earth or on Mars
@Bilal:
So wait a minute, you are implying that the nation should accept that rigging in elections took place - on the basis of what evidence? We should just accept this fact only because IK is saying it? And he is only crying foul because he did not get to become PM (which he never will).
@M Pervez This is the issue with our society. If we dont agree with some one that some one become's Non mulsim, Kafir, Jewish agent, Western agent or non-pakistani in this case. Why cant we agree to disagree with out name calling. This is exactly what IK is doing and it will destroy our society.
I support N and I am as Pakistani as you are and if you dont believe that it is your problem. IK is crying and trying to take over a Government that he did not earn. He talks about rigging but he has less than half the votes of PMLN, he talks about huge conspiracy against him yet he has only 15 complaints. This is exactly a prescription for self destruction.
ET why isn't my comment put through, I posted yesterday, soon after the news
Who is this guy? Seventeen yeas into politics, complete lacklustre first stint as a legislator. He then finds out that he needs 'electables' because his political vision appeared dwarfed by individual clout and people sitting on his sides have spent less than 2 years with the party ideology. He after boycotting an election for the reason known to all, finally contests elections gets 32 seats, doesn't not even get to be the opposition leader. He chooses to go down war path instead of gaining the much needed experience and exposure of real politics. Now thinking resignation. Maturity and wisdom remain his favourite foes, very sad
I am really not surprised to see most of the comments against IK. I feel sorry for my countrymen who would accept that there was rigging in elections but are just not convinced to amend it. They think the system will get better on its own. Everything IK has been saying is so logical. Way to go IK. This nation will see the real face of these "democtratic politicians" who use the word whenever they are about to get trapped. I pray for my people who get satisfied feeling sorry for themselves and doing nothing about it.
IK said the time for negotiations with the government is over. Oh Khan! remember your words. You said negotiation with militants is the only option to restore peace in the country and you offered them office in Peshawar. You want negotiation with 70000 Pakistani killers but don't want negotiate with elected democrat govt. Oh Khan please be mature, be a political leader.
The panic in PML(N) could be feel easily from this move of IK. Look at the number of comments by two "Darbaris". They know that people wont let their "Ammer ul momineen" to rule anymore
The Return of the Great Khan
The political losers like Sheikh Rasheed (one-man party) and Chaudhry Brothers (one-family party) have turned Imran Khan into a political Suicide Bomber. This is how these losers try to destroy the mandate of Millions of voters. But their nefarious designs will never be achieved InshaAllah!
Though AZADI MARCH is their democratic right but resigning from NA is another attempt to derail democracy that was established after a long 5-years of efforts of the previous govt. Such moves and acts make people think about the hands that are controlling the game and backing PTI and IK.
I hope that Khan sahib is the first one to resign from his post. And it would be prudent if the Gov excepts the resignations, arrange quick and swift elections! Our country needs peace and right now these people are far worse than the terrorists.
@Shakil Khan:
Yes Sir eeeeee.....IK is exposing the rigging and vociferously questioning the validity of the polls just like he questioned the rigged referendum of 2002 and the heavily engineered and sham general elections of 2002. People still remember the struggles of IK from those days and how he spent years in the dungeon of Attock Fort for standing up to the dictatorship and one man rule of Pervaiz Musharraf. For real, while I am writing this I have become so poignant that I have become teary eyed at the mere thought of the sacrifices IK rendered for electoral reforms in this country. Surely IK would have been an inspiration for Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi.
The trolls and Mureedan-e-Imrani along with their comical logic is so hilarious.
@Pushtune: They should set up a different mode for electing peoples who represent them. This guy is masqureding all over in the subcontinent and every now and then appearing in Uk, the excricketer self declared poltician is a typical Ganga Din of the British empire. he gives the impression that Pakistan is genuinely the colony of the inglez.
Rex Minor
Good to see that the majority of the comments are against this lunatic . IK is the piped piper who is leading the youth astray and is going to feed the youth rat poison in D chowk
PTI is setting a dangerous new precedent... So what if everything they say is accpeted and there are new elections...who is to say we will not have flawed elections and loser repeating the tricks PTI is upto. Electronic voting and thumb verification are good ideas - but are they practical for a country with lack of electricity and over 100million voters.
Imran Khan is nothing but a charlatan,in the guise of a leader. Actually, he is an ignorant and stubborn man who does not even know the basics of politics, but behaves as if he is the only man of integrity.Since, KP is in shambles Imran Khan is trying to find an excuse to wriggle out of the responsibility and stage the resignation drama. It is good that PTI MNAs are resigning.They are otherwise nincompoops and never made any contribution,of any sort in the assembly.People should Chill nothing is going to happen. Lets have bye elections and send the trash out.
In 2013 general election I supported PTI and IK in Peshawar, but now. I thought PTI will introduce real democracy but when I saw KP govt one year performance and IK dictatorship behavior, now I think I was wrong. He is not a political leader and you can not say PTI is a disciplined political party
I'm surprised that IK should demand resignations from parliamentarians. In a true democracy parliamentarians should be allowed to vote and make decisions according to their conscience. Looks like IK would be another political dictator like Pakistan has always had since ZA Bhutto. Theonly leader who is making sense is Dr. Tahirul Qadri.
If this step was taken by Sharifs against PPP the trolls would have loved it! But same trolls will only ridicule Imran Khan!
Exposing rigging and questioning validity of polls, is valid and legal but in return PTI and IK got ridiculed instead of addressing the issues.
"Democracy" in Pakistan is only PPP and PMLn swapping chairs and supporting each other! others are ridiculed!
the desperation to become PM is finally getting to the head of IK having achieved nothing in KPK the stooge of establishment is now up to destroying the fragile democracy
I feel ashamed of PTI supporter in the general election. Imran khan is politically immature by doing all this dhrnas and Marches ...Alright he pointed out many things which i presume will naver happens...Instead of pointing at the federal government..they should focus on their province..they can win at national level only if they were able to do only 50 percent of what their so called NAYA PAKISTAN....,,,grow up IK
Everybody stop blaming IK for everything happening in Pakistan. Everybody knows the system in Pakistan is corrupt and not for poor. Why you people support the wrong democracy when you have an option. Imran Khan made itself a soft target by showing the reality. I personally never seen Shehbaz Sharif a carer for public, whatever he do, he do for his politics.
Mr. IK you are in too much hurry, if you really want to change in Pakistan then you should not accept decision of General Election but you accepted and gave up but now what happen?? why are you taking serious steps in this critical condition ?? you were aginst Army Operation and so that is why you are doing such people of Pakistani are not blind. Shame IMRAN KHAN Shame PTI
Understand the calculus: if PTI resigns from Provincial assemblies ,it will loose out on winning any Senate seats in March. So resigning from NA seats does little strategic harm but builds up the pressure. I am seriously wondering what is the end result that is expected?. Parties in power do not hold mid term elections after a year especially when they have 70% electoral votes in National Assembly and they are ruling in Punjab.
I see strong similarities with Arvind Kejriwal. Result will also be similar.
IK is an utter disappointment. His actions are bereft of any logic. Once JI used this boycott and resignation card and now they are history. I am sure the same will happen to PTI.
This Long March will be the 1st nail in the coffin of Pakistan. this will be beginning of the end of Pakistan. never in the future of Pakistan a politically elected govt will be stable. who every has the power to gather 200 300 thousand ppl in the Capital will destabilize the govt. Well played BOOTs. u have achieved ur ultimate goal.
Very good political move by IK.............see now nobody is talking about 90 days promises, mismanagement in KPK Govt etc etc
Unfortunately people in Pakistan could not differentiate between an Anarchist and a leader. People were looking for the Paradise in 90 days in KP but so far nothing have been done. One Tiger ( Chickened out) Niazi have signed the surrender agreement of the whole East Pakistan in 1971 and let us see what this second Tiger Niazi will do.
@Asad@NYC:
Well my friend, you can take this to the bank that as soon as this hullabaloo and cacophony of revolution and change is dead buried on 15th August; the PTI would not be allowed to survive even for a day in KPK and PML-N will teach it a lesson by overthrowing the illegal government of KPK through whatever means prescribed in the constitution with the help of JUI and the dissident faction inside the PTI itself. IK's lust to play politics when he is better suited to collecting chandas and donation, would prove very costly to him and Sharifs will make sure that this would be the proverbial Waterloo for IK.
Great Leaders make difficult decisions. Only time will tell who is going to be history. NS your time is UP.
@Humza: Although I'm not a supporter of this move but this is no derailing democracy. This is democracy.
Democratic leaders make democratic moves rather than indulging army into political issues. Alas, NS should have learn something from his past.
PMLN shouting very loudly on May 2013 mandate, they should have trust their words by opening only 4 seats for the verification of votes. The Pakistani nation is very well aware of the 2013 rigged election and will be on streets on 14 August.
PTI is derailing democracy? In fact PTI is ready to die for real democracy in Pakistan.
@Adnan Siddiqi:
If the purpose is to dismantle this illegal and undemocratic rule of Shareef family then resigning from KPK will not be a good strategy for PTI. Yup they should keep the KPK and let go the NA. You and I agree on this from a strategy perspective but I reckon you see evil on this strategy.
@Sami: It's a charade. And of they actually resign , good riddance to bad rubbish!
IK is not for for politics . Look at KPK - all resources on Punjab dharnas and not an iota of development in KPK.
And he is spending KPK government money to come on advertisements! He is a walking contradiction and a disgrace!
@Qamar:
Would PTI reimburse the exchequer for those millions in salaries and perks from the last one year since PTI was part of this 35 punctured democracy? Speaking of punctures, I hope that IK would make us listen to that famous audio recording between Mr. Sethi and NS on 14th August.
Good move why fight the system when you already part of it. When democracy get 35 punctures then its just a dictatorship.
Frankly speaking, i fail to see how the timing of this March is going to help Pakistan in any possible way. There's an operation going on in NW, KPK needs its govt. intact to be able to pass through the circumstances, and IK is up for a head-on collision with the Govt. and its institutions. i hope sanity prevails on both sides and both compromise in some way possible to help the nation prosper.
After 15th August, IK would have lost all moral authority to be a legislator and being part of the political and parliamentary disposition. He has denigrated and disparaged this system to such an extent that being associated with the same system after 15th August would mount to "Muk Muka" and "Noora Kushti." PTI would have to bow its head in shame on 15th and resign en masse from Parliament and relinquish KPK rule.
Imran Khan's politics have become bereft of ideas and reliant on tantrums and disruptions.
@Ch. Allah Daad:
Bro, only IK would be looking for another gig after 15th August. The rest of his so called leaders who have pushed him to this point, would handover their resumes to other parties the moment IK is exposed as a phony and fraud.
I am obviously a paid troll of the PML-N who does not know what he is talking about. I am so confident that PTI will be history that I ignore the panic amongst the PML-N leadership, so desperate that they called up Chaudry Shujaat who told them dont call us we'll call you... and then never called.
So along IK will have done in the National Assembly for himself and his party members is to get elected and then resign? Surely he will play a role in the NA. A positive role.
LOL! If they really want to resign then why don't they handover resignations to the speaker of NA? Stop this drama IK. No matter what you do Nawaz will be the PM for 5 years.
enough PML(N)
Hand in resignations and start looking for other jobs because on 15 the of August PTI will become history.
Imran Khan has only shown that he is not fit to be a leader. Rather than be an effective opposition leader, he seems only focused on derailing democracy. I supported him but now I see that he has lost sight that the democratic system and stable governance is the most important aspect for any country's progress. He seems to want to be PM regardless of the damage he will cause the country's developing democracy.
PTI will never resign from KPK Assembly out of fear that if the federal government stays intransigent, it would go ahead and conduct by-elections there and PTI would be completely wiped off. The same is true for National Assembly as well.
This is yet another bluff which will be called by PML-N and if IK still insists, a forward bloc will be formed inside KPK assembly comprising of a dissident faction of PTI being supported by PML-N, JUI, ANP, PPP and QWP.
You can do whatever you want Kaptaan but you still is a rank novice. In the coming days, PML-N's majority will further swell in National Assembly by way of winning additional seats in by-elections which would be vacated by PTI in addition to forming a minority government in KPK. Say bye bye to 2018 as well IK because the Pakhtoons would never ever forgive you for chickening out and leaving them high and dry - on the alter of CHANGE and drone attacks to which you have gone completely mum and act as if a thing called drone does not even exist anymore.
This is called " Politics without Fear and Selfishness". True leader...(He could bargain the situation and make deal with Nawaz but No. everything for Pakistan)
Systematic and democratic move to meet demands.