Speculation: Campaign against drones led to poll defeat, says Imran

Asks party workers to email ECP seeking online access to asset details of politicians


Abdul Manan September 30, 2014

ISLAMABAD:


Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, while answering a question by his party worker, said that his hard stance on drone attacks may have been a major reason for his defeat in the May 11, 2013, general election. “Nawaz fully enjoyed US and other foreign support which is the reason why he won the election,” he added.


PTI chief said their party does not need any foreign support. “It’s better not to become a prime minister through foreign support,” he said.

He said US Admiral Mullen had openly stated that US, with the support of Pakistani government, carried out drone attacks. On Kashmir issue, Imran said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have the right to decide their fate.

Imran urged all his party workers to email Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking online access to details of politicians’ assets. “We will study Nawaz Sharif’s assets in ECP (documents) and will apprise the nation of his real net worth,” said Imran.

He said Nawaz paid more than Rs2 billion in taxes in London but only a few thousand in Pakistan. Addressing the sit-in on Monday night, Imran said that all party workers should email ECP, requesting it to publish the details of assets declarations on its website.  “I request Nawaz to declare and submit genuine details of his assets in ECP otherwise we will approach the courts,” he said. “We have prepared lawyers’ team which will study Nawaz’s assets.”

The PTI chief questioned as to why Nawaz has declared his assets and property in the name of his children. He asked Pakistan People Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to declare his assets, saying he also did corruption and built ‘Surrey Mansion’. “Both Nawaz and Zardari don’t pay tax, do corruption and deposit their assets in foreign bank accounts.”

“We will study asset details of corrupt leaders and will ask PTI leaders to counter-check their asset details which they have declared to the poll body,” he said.

Imran’s fresh threat was to IG Prisons, Punjab, who has allegedly tortured one PTI worker imprisoned in Adayala Jail over chanting ‘Go Nawaz Go’ slogan. “[IG Prison] Mian Farooq Nazir seems to be Nawaz’s another Gullu Butt.”

Imran asked party workers to donate more funds for Azadi march. He condemned the bomb blast at IDP camp in Hangu. PTI chief invited Jirga of IDPs of North Waziristan to come to Islamabad and celebrate Eid with him. He appreciated party workers’ commitment and dedication who had gathered there.

“I will visit Mianwali on Thursday; people there supported me in winning seat during 2002 general election.”

“I will celebrate Eid here, and will offer prayers with party workers,” said Imran. “I used to celebrate Eid in Lahore but this time I have called my sisters here.”

The energetic and proactive, Samina Abid, PTI women’s wing President Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, who has facilitated hundreds of female participants from K-P to visit the sit-in stated: ‘PTI has raised political awareness among the underprivileged segments of society.” She stated that PTI is the only party where women are truly represented and unprecedented numbers of women have publicly participated in the sit-in.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30th, 2014.

COMMENTS (1)

Farooq | 9 years ago | Reply

So finally he has figured out why he was defeated. How will he succeed with almost all international forces lined up against him. His bravery and determination reminds me of Saddam Hussain. May Allah protect Pakistan

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ