Political standoff : Govt had agreed to let MI, ISI probe rigging: Qureshi
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Monday the government had agreed to associate the Military Intelligence (MI) and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) with a judicial commission probing alleged rigging in the May 2013 elections.
He was speaking at the launch of the party’s Azadi Razakar campaign at Aiwan-i-Iqbal.
Qureshi said the PTI was ready to resume talks with the government for which it would announce a schedule by November 30.
Referring to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s statement dismissing PTI chairman Imran Khan’s demand for including the MI and ISI in the judicial commission, Qureshi said the minster had agreed to it during talks with the government.
He said he was leading the PTI delegation during the talks.
“Had the government not agreed that the commission would give its recommendations within 45 days? Had it not agreed that a joint investigation team, including representative of the MI and the ISI, would assist the commission?”
“Ishaq Dar has tried to scare us. It is time they decided whether they want to come to the table for talks or they want to resolve the standoff on the field where we have been protesting,” Qureshi said.
He said if the government was not serious about talks, it should be ready to deal with the party otherwise.
“Your Gullu Butts will not be able to stop our Azadi Razakars. The people of Pakistan will not let you run away from your commitments,” he said.
He said the country had witnessed a change in the ‘70s; it would happen again in 2015. “Actors cannot bring about change… Azadi Razakars will make this happen,” he said.
“The Punjab has woken up. It is time for it to inspire its Sindhi brethren.” He criticised the government for what he called lack of governance and rule of law.
The PTI leader said the sit-in in Islambad would continue until the party’s demands were met.
“Let there be no mistake that this caravan will return unaccomplished. It is not about entertaining someone’s ego; it is about honouring the people’s voice,” he said.
Azadi Razakar
Stalls registering volunteers were placed at Aiwan-i-Iqbal’s entrance.
An Azadi Fund donation box was doing rounds within the complex as PTI leaders delivered speeches.
PTI Punjab information secretary Andleeb Abbas briefed the audience about the campaign advocating a ‘free, independent, democratic and empowered Naya Pakistan’
Abbas said Azadi Razakars would help spread the party’s message.
She said the volunteers would raise the voice for the accountability of rulers; abolishing the VIP culture, revamping the taxation system. Protesting against expensive electricity will also be on their agenda.
PTI Punjab general secretary Yasmeen Rashid said the PTI was against the VIP culture. PTI Punjab president Ejaz Chaudhry said the government had failed to develop a welfare state.
Hamid Zaman Khan, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Nosheen Hamid, Sadia Sohail and Adeel Hashmi also addressed the ceremony. The next Azadi Razakar gathering will take place in Multan.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2014.
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