Imran was speaking to Express News from Islamabad’s D-Chowk where he - along with his supporters – is staging sit-ins against PM Nawaz.
“We don’t believe there can be a fair investigation into rigging if Nawaz remains at the helm,” he reiterated.
Imran said PTI does not accept last year’s general elections and that their struggle will continue until the goal of true democracy is achieved. "PTI wants re-election, not mid-term elections," he said.
“Initially, I wanted Nawaz to resign immediately but now I want him to delay it further because our movement has awakened this nation and our message is spreading everywhere,” Imran said, adding that no one can usurp the rights of a nation which is well aware.
COMMENTS (76)
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Go back home Khan Sb and concentrate on some real work. We live in the real world where everyone has responsibilities, your CM KPK has been busy with dharna, while people suffer. Live and let live. Not wasting my vote on you again.
@whatever: The government is open to audit of seat. But that is not acceptable to PTI and they only want audit of 30 seats to determine rigging, which any sane.mind will tell you is wrong. The government is right on this. U can't call it a proof of rigging in Kawaja Saad Rafiques seat. It is the gross negligence of the ECP staff who were responsible for record keeping. But nothing proifs pmln involvement:)
And Nawaz Sharif is never going to resign unless army involves in this the most worst ever political impasse because how shamefully by knowing every fact about rigging by PML-N all the parties are supporting Nawaz Sharif in parliament.Then how long this crisis will continue?????
Imran Khan Sb, there is still time, concentrate on KPK, the voters there feel disfranchised. There was another attack on a plane coming into land at Peshawar airport. Soon no airline would want to land there and the airport will be shut. CM Khattak has miserably failed to deliver. People in KPK are now chanting Go khattak Go, which is bad for PTI. Police reforms if any have failed as incompetence ranks high. Again and again aircraft are being fired upon. If your prty cannot manage KPK how can we trust you with Pakistan. Next time i will not vote for PTI. I am from Peshawar and a lot of my friends and family members share the same view as mine.
Khan Sb enough of u-turns, please step down as Chairman of PTI. U have miserably failed to lead the party and have only caused internal dissent.
No solid evidence = no stepping down by PM. Imran Khan has been crying wolf for so long now that he has lost all creditability. So I suggest he immediately starts putting forth tangible evidences of systematic rigging or apologize for telling lies. Ro Imran Ro
@ whatever The ECP and Judiciary are not subservient to the government. Hence the government cannot instruct the ECP to probe rigging. PTI instead of blaming the government for not opening up constituencies should ask ECP as it is the laters domain. If ECP does not do as per Imran Khan's wishes then PTI should approach the senior judiciary in which Imran Khan has already reposed his faith. The dharnas against the government carry no logic as the same should instead be given outside ECP head office. I am with the government on this and feel PTI is the one at fault.
Every constituency that was opened fore recounting after a lot of wasted time by the government shows massive rigging. Saad rafique's contituency is a perfect example. The govenment is well aware of its actions. Im shocked how some people still defend pmln's logic!
@Emad Shah: What hope? To see someone on top of container scream nonsense 24/7; I think the majority of Pakistanis are tired of Imran Khan and TUQ's dharnas. The two leaders are just opportunists who can't accept that they don't have power and they want it all costs, even if it means damaging Pakistan. Imran Khan should stop and accept reality. KPK is worse with PTI than before! Ever day of Dharna makes me dislike PTI more and more.
Tabdeeli in KP?
Go Imran Go
One thing is for sure and that is the true colors of Imran khan and his party have been exposed. While the PM visits flood affectees on Eid and COAS IDPs, Imran Khan is busy doing politics and preaching hate. PMLN stays or not, but Imran Khan has taught hate to youngsters and we will see ts affect in times to come when there will be no respect left for law or elders. I feel anyone who does not see to eye with Imran Khan is bashed physically and on social media. I dont want this type of new Pakistan where there will be no freedom of speech or opinion. Shame on PTI for preaching hate. No excuse or logic can justify it.
Ro Imran Ro, is the new slogan to define cry babes. ET please don't be biased and publish this as a news reporter u shud be neutral. My neutral comments that may not be pro PTI but were not abusive have not been published. May I ask why? is ET biased? Ro Imran Ro
@ Dr.M.M.han Not all parties are for election, only PTI is asking for re-elections because they cannot come to term with the fact that they lost. Re-elections should only take place after Imran Khan has substantiated his allegation of rigging with tangible and solid evidences rather then hearsay endorsements. Also there has to be proof that mass systematic rigging took place and that the current government orchestrated it. We can't hold elections again and again because one or two parties don't accept the results.
@ Usman from Toronto Like you said proof of rigging is the duty of ECP and Judiciary both of which are independent parties, then why blame the government which has no control over these two institutions. If Imran Khan is not happy with ECP,he should approach the Supreme court. The PM should only resign if it is proved that he was directly involved in rigging.elections should only be held if mass systematic rigging is proved. Imran Khan should now substantiate his allegations with solid evidences. The responsibility to proof his actions is on him and not on the government. Shame on PTI for incitement of violence and preaching hate.
@Usman from Toronto: You forget that IK does not acceept election commission . He also accepts judiciary when it suits him.
From day one Imran is asking for resignation but the government is talking about negotiation and since there is no equation between the two except both end with 'tion' I very much doubt that the tension between the two will be resolved. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
Murderous regime must go. Go Nawaz Go. No Bilawal No.
may i know if mr. sharif was in power when the elections were held last year.if not how he did rigging.
So why this fraud of " muzakarat" , just to let characters of defeated parties like PPP and JI become relevant again ?
PML(N) has time and again said that NS will not step down.I am sure IK does not plan to keep the protesters at D Chowk till the next election in 2018? I mean what is the next step? Why penalize the people and the country with a never ending dharna/protests.
Haters gonna hate ... Keep fighting Khan, you are teaching a nation the art of winning! Sooner or later people of Pakistan will recognize their power and potential!
I do not understand this logic. Tomorrow, I will come up with a crowd demanding that Imran khan quit politics because he is not an upright Muslim/citizen/parliamentarian and so on. What kind of politics is this. Imran and his "tigers and tigresses" should spare this nation. Give us a break.
This should be enough to shut the PTI voices that come on TV and say the block in negotiations is not because of PTI but government. There must be a huge disconnect between IK and his so called negotiating team 0_o
the go nawaz go movement is getting stronger everyday. it symbolises the frustration and the disease caused by corrupt previous governance... even a blind person can see what PPP & PLM have done to pakistain... i wonder who are the people that still support these corrupt regimes in pakistan.... I wish such people would realise they are getting used for a small cost and a high price
sada jeoy jawan! i dont support you but you have made this nation open their eyes and to stand up for themselves and their rights.
i dont love you or like you or even agree with you. But I respect you, and thats all that matters in my book!
Every constituency that was investigated after a lot of wasted time showed massive rigging. Saad rafique's constituency is a perfect example. The government's refusal to allow recounting in a few constituencies show's that pmln is well aware of the legitimacy of the elections. Its baffling to see how some people still defend the government's logic.
'We do not accept last year's elections'....BUT we will continue to hold power in KP. Didn't the same 'corrupt' Election Commission conduct elections in KP as well? Unfortunately, it seems that in Imran Khan's twisted world, even a vote for pml (n) constitutes rigging. And before I get attacked by junoonis as a 'patwari', I VOTED FOR THE PTI BUT I AM ASHAMED OF THAT DECISION
Monster has been created by the insane media anchors and now the country has to reap the rewards of the so called Azad media !
@BarbadiMarch: I am sick and tired of Imran Khan's rants and comments. Who cares what he wants since he doesn't care about Pakistan. We should all promise to make sure that if he ever wins any seat, we will all protest that he resign! He should resign from PTI and then govt should talk to him. Go Imran Go!
so now you are trying to pamper your injured ego by making yourself believe of delayed resignation as a better option then repeating the opposite what you were demanding earlier. this guy never stops amazing me ;)
Go Nawaz go !!!
Inshallah Imran, GONAWAZGO will happen soon. we live in hope.
Whereas pro-PTI comments are readily splashed, the anti-PTI comments are trashed. Shows where the ET stands.
I like IK. But he is playing the game of others and that diminishes his person, personality, and program.
He has lost his mind and in his greed to be the PM, he is willing to say or do anything. I have converted from being a supporter of PTI after seeing the moves that Imran has made and seeing his lack of solid achievements in KPK.
negotiation means give and take But Ik is bent on one demand and that is resignation of NS err, resignation of PML- N oh he means fresh election.If Election is carried out and some other party with few thousands supporters with same allegation of rigging without any evidence like IK is doing. So how many times election can be held in a year . . Sorry IK this will not be a democracy. What you perceive( election is rigged and that too by NS ) is correct because of your street power of few thousands. IK is playing a game of Hide and Seek with democracy.
Imran says he wants the PM to stay for two months! So, who is giving him the time frame?
Misuse of power and a destructive mind control over the submissive masses can have very counter-productive consequences. History is the witness.
IK claims NS rigged elections while he was out of office - by that logic what difference does it make if he is in or out of office during rigging investigations, as according to Khan sb he has the power to rig even when he's out of office. Wah Khan sb awesome logic as always...
For all its worth, Nawaz Sharif is an elected PM till proven that he is directly responsible for rigging. Imran Khan should spare the country and stop acting like an economic hitman and nstead provide tangible evidences in court tying NS with rigging. All Imran Khan has done till date is tell hearsay stories but not put forth any smoking gun. Stay Nawaz stay and keep working for the nation.
Shame on Imran Khan, he has failed to provide one tangible evidence that PMLN was involved in rigging other then generic endorsements by a few ex-government officials/ politicians who themselves have tainted characters. Imran Khan doesnt want PMLN to perform as given the chance I think both Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif want to make Pakistan strong. During the exile period, nothing new happened in Punjab and post 2008, upon their return Sharifs have initiated mega projects and delivered, the ring road, metrobus, initiated affordable coal power plants, mass transit systems in Multan, Pindi and Islamabad, E-learning iniative that will ensure that everyone in Punjab has access to online lecture and course material for free. Further, they have stabilized the Rupee, made Pak Railway relatively efficient and opened 3G & 4G technology. All this in a matter of 1.5years think all that they will do in 5 yrs but at-least let them perform. Remember they got the country in a bad shape from PPP who literally didn't do anything but corruption. Think outside personal bias.
@Insafians: London plan which nawaz and Zadari draw line in pakistan n said this part is ur n other side is mine for 5 years n let's make money n let pakistani ppl more poor so they can not awake.
"Initially I wanted Nawaz to resign immediately but now I want him to delay it further...." Another U turn. Please keep on delaying because you are now not even if the next PM after Bilwal's show today.
@Insafians: You mean the London Plan adhered to by PPP and PMLN where they decided that they would jointly appoint the heads of interim governments, election commision, NAB and supreme courtjustices? where they would work together to ensure that no other political force is able to challenge them,? Where both PMLN and PPP would have their corruption cases thrown out??? Is that the London Plan you are talking about!!!
@PakPatriot: Proof of rigging is the duty of the relevant authorites (election commision,judiciary). The PTI stance is that those should be investigated impartially.
PM Nawaz should absolutely not step down. He's been elected prime minister for a full 5 year term and enjoys the confidence of the National Assembly. Even if there were massive and systematic irregularities in the elections that brought him to power, he must still only be removed through a constitutional process. If IK and TUQ want to bring mobs or force the army to literally throw Nawaz out, then so be it. Nawaz should not step down from his constitutional post just because IK is refusing to play by the rules.
@PakPatriot ridiculous to talk about a proof, it is impossible to prove anything against someone remotely related to govt there in Pakistan, such as Rana Shoaib could not be convicted in the presence of video tapes, what can we expect from a reference against the head of the state, waisey bhi jub every MNA was declaring on the assembly floor that elections were rigged, kissi mazeed saboot ki zaroorat reh gati hai, GO NAWAZ GO!
Congratulations for injecting poison in minds of innocent people
@PakPatriot Did you forget the endless speeches in the parliament where your so called leaders admitted that there were massive rigging in the elections? Aitzaz Ahsan said there were and NO ONE; even your high and mighty NS rejected that comment. What does that tell you? What more proof do you want when the parliamentarians themselves admit to the rigging?? Are you blind? Deaf? Or simply too egotistical to let go of PMLN...you know..the same people who have been accused of murder and have used all their authority to prevent the FIRs?
@BarbadiMarch:
I doubt if Imran Khan himself can understand his own logic.
I am sure he along with millions other can and do. The only comprehension problem is with the die hard darbaris!
Go Nawaz go!!!
Oh wait what, Khan Sahab?
Stay Nawaz stay!!!
Anarchist wants power at every cost , even if to drown the economy of his own coutry
Another new twist in IK's tale - now he decides that NS should stay on for a while. When will this soap opera come to an end, Mr. Khan?
@PakPatriot: Under no circumstances should the government give in to the demands of a mob of violent demonstrators who are sore losers. Let Imran Khan protest from his container for the next four years by himself and Tahirul Qadri. The government should focus on improving the economy, energy, law and order and all the other things the majority of voters want and elected them for. Just ignore PTI and their u turn making leader who is being manipulated.
@PakPatriot: 'Provide nation evidence...'
What a lame argument. Opposition doesn't have means to provide you with forensic evidence. How about taking clue from what is available now? All the constituencies that have been addressed so far reveal massive rigging. Got the point BUBBA?
Why should the elected government of Pakistan leave just because pretty boy Imran and mullah Qadri say so?
@PakPatriot: every thing called rigging in general elections leads towards his success, why they are taking stay orders from court while investigations begin, najam sethi himself said to NS about his 35 punctures... the election commosion staff had said about Iftikhar choudgy's efforts for his success by illegaly interfering into election business of ROs, the DPO whose tape was plaid in the jalsa who while being in service in pujab police was campaigning for NS and SS, those candidates who were winning from big margins were declared losers after 2pm, if this doesn't satisfies your evidence needs than i doubt you are not a paid commentator on ET...... #GoNawazGO
Go away you conspirator who cares what you say.You and your collaboraters are doomed.Shame on you for descending so low.
Every political party is asking directly or indirectly for a mid term election. It is doable and if the present Govt. submits to this there is every chance it might put to myth the "Imran" challenge.The question is whether His Excellency will take the bait?
lol Ik cannot speak himself anything which has any meaning, he requires a chit from Mubashaer lucman.
i see PML-N stooges commenting here. you want proof? go read PTI's white paper, FAFEN's report and ECP's report. if that's not enough, see massive amount of media footage. the proof PML-N and its supporters look for doesn't exist in that form since they themselves don't know what they kind of proof they want. just keep blabbering 'proof'. DJ Butt goes to jail without anything to do with violence, but Gullu Butt is released on bail for not having 'enough' proof. that's PML-N's brand of justice. so, what proof do you want?
There is much mistrust that it is next to impossible for anyone to believe Nawaz. Year back Imran asked Nawaz to get recounted votes in 4 constituencies but which was rejected by Nawaz saying that elections were fair so the question of ay investigation does not arise and at that time Imran had threatened to come on streets in protest but it was also ignored, Later Nawaz proposed to institute a commission fir investigation but Nawaz fears that there cannot be independent and transparent investigation if Nawaz continues to be occupying the throne. Nawaz tried his best through many faces to soften Imran who each time said that he will not agree to any thing less than Nawaz resignation and to mount pressure Imran is staging dharna in Islamabad which he will not end unless Nawaz resigns. Test of patience and strength on both sides but nevertheless Imran has succeeded in crating hatred against Nawaz whereby people are shouting GO NAWAZ GO and it is believed that with the passage of time GO NAWAZ GO will spread like file rather than subsiding. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
@Hope: London Plan people only think they are only intelligent, all other Pakistanis are Goofs.
Until unless london Plan is not fulfilled Imran N Qadri will not spare this nation..!!
Yes, Indeed IK,,This is the only way out Now...Go Nawaz Go
Why should he step down, Provide nation with evidences that massive rigging happened N Mr. Nawaz sharif was behind then it will bring some sense to demand..!!
I doubt if Imran Khan himself can understand his own logic.