Protests being held to get justice, not to come into power: Imran
"My lifelong struggle cannot be reduced to bringing martial law in the country. My struggle is only to bring true democracy in the country," said Imran.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said his party had been protesting in the federal capital for the past 106 days to hold those responsible for rigging elections, not to replace Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister of Pakistan.
Imran said electoral reforms won’t do any good until those who rigged the 2013 polls are brought to the book.
“... If we want to move ahead and correct the country’s electoral process, we will have to hold those who rigged the polls, accountable,” he said.
The PTI chief said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) got 6.8 million votes in the 2008 elections when the All Parties Democratic Alliance did not take part in the polls, but this number doubled in 2013, taking the vote count to 15 million.
“This was because the polls were rigged on a large scale,” he said.
Imran said if justice isn't served in this regard, the next elections won’t be a popularity contest between parties but a competition of who is better at rigging.
The PTI chief went on to point out that numerous target killings had taken place in Karachi but no one had been arrested for the crime.
“15,000 people have been target killed in Karachi. There are strong anti-terror laws but still the killing spree continues as target killers haven’t been arrested,” said Imran.
The PTI chairman argued that he came out on the streets as no institution was willing to provide justice, adding that he will reply to Pervaiz Rashid’s allegations during tonight’s sit-in address at D-Chowk.
He added that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) rigged the 2013 polls in Sindh just like the PML-N did in Punjab, pointing out how PPP bagged more votes after “destroying Sindh in five years" than it did after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
Extra ballot papers printed
The PTI chairman alleged that over 5 million extra ballot papers were printed from three printing presses in Pakistan, whereas data from two others was not available yet.
“These [extra] votes were added to their candidates’ vote count,” said Imran, adding that 124,000 extra ballot papers were printed in PML-N leader Saad Rafique's constituency.
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Pakistan: things will get worse before they will get better +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Who said things will get better?
@Xman: He kind of reminds me of my childhood in a suburb of small town when on sunday morning we used to go and knock on the doors of several houses in a street and then hide and watch the residents opening their doors one after another to see who in fact was visiting them so early on sunday. This gave us some sort of satisfaction which it would seem that IK and his comrades are doing to bring discomfort to the current Prime Minister.
Rex Minor
Don't know How long these Dharna will continue... Deadlock should be end
@H Chaudhry: Mind and hearts? If you allowed your mind to enquire deeply and permitted your heart to fill with love and compassion for the majority of your fellow countrymen who face retched daily struggles then and only then will you see where your soul truly stands.
PTI and Imran Khan was the last hope for the nation. Just like Musharraf when he came in 1999 everybody was hopeful that if Army can play any role it is Musharraf who can carry out the tough task of land reforms, tax reforms, punishing defaulters, bring justice to the corrupt, etc. When he failed the common middle class and intelligentsia failed. More than 2 million people left the country after Musharraf's failures 2006-07. When IK came people got the belief that this is one civil set up that can delver, but IK over used himself and burnt out himself. Now unfortunately there is no charm, excitement or hope left from him. I see major disaster of the country now. Status quo has beaten the hopes of middle class and educated people. Marso Marso jeenay na desso
Allah bless Pakistan. Allah bless Nawaz Sharif. No hope from Master of U Turns Imran Khan. I have never seen Imran Khan speaking truth.
@Searcher Why is it too diffuclt for PTI followers to believe there are PMLN supporters out there as well? Why myself or Ch Allah Daad or any one else who favors PMLN or disagrees PTI is a paid PMLN supporter? Why cant you simple accept the fact that PMLN has supporters too and we dont need to get paid to speak our minds and hearts?
@ayesha:
Impressionable women like thyself are the biggest threat to Pakistan right now.
@Humza I couldn't have said it better myself. You are absolutely correct! IK is doing nothing but trying to bulldoze himself in which will NEVER EVER happen. Only thing that can happen or may already has happened is that one Powerful institution keeps tabs on key items of foreign policy and continues to get stronger while every one else suffers. Imran knows he will never ever win if PMLN completed its tenure so all this circus.
@Ch. Allah Daad: I guess if PTI paid you more than PLMN you would be posting anti NAwaz comments...but anyway you must be getting enough to be spending most of your waking hours on line posting such unintelligent and uninformed utter garbage....go get a real job !
It has become like kids fight.allegations, counter allegations and more allegations. What a absolute waste of time and Resources. On one hand, there are so many things to be done, IDP's, Polio, education reforms, madrases and their regulation, militancy, generation of employment, population control.. But no one is interested. A new deadline will be issued once Nov 30 is gone. People aren't interested after seeing KP going from bad to worse.
Imran often takes U Turn. He is Master of U Turns.
Imran always tells a lie. No trust on him.
@Shahzad: what else proofs you need the country has been made a beggar state 50% budget goes into debt servicing; where is that money spent? No dams, no roads, no gas no electricity?
poor People are paying taxes on money they never used
@Rex Minor : Any normal, humble person would do that. But it would be difficult, rather impossible for an egomaniac like IK who is a prima donna that wants to stay in the spotlight. The only thing he wants is unfortunately the only thing he can't get, and hence he cries like a baby from the container every evening.
@Aik_Paki: The point is you can have anyone serve as the PM as long as the democratic system and institutions remain in place. Despite your sarcasm, do you really think that politicians in Western countries are any more competent than politicians in developing countries or Pakistan? Do you think citizens in the West look at national interests or are the majority parochial one issue voters? The answer may well surprise you. The truth is that the democratic system in western nations and institutions confer stability which in turn promotes development, growth and accountability. The problem with the 3 rd World mindset of PTI followers is that they think there is somehow a shortcut to hard work. There is none. You simply have to work within the imperfect system called democracy which is only starting to establish itself in Pakistan after so many years of turmoil. People like Shaikh Rasheed, the Chaudries of Gujrat and a vindictive sore loser like Imran Khan can only speak to immature minds of people who don't really wish to see Pakistan develop. Think long term about working within an imperfect game called democracy. It's all about the game and not the players.
@Ch. Allah Daad: If he had stood for common people, he would still be standing and waiting! The best thing for him would be go back to london life and spend some tme with his children and taking long walks in the hyde park where many Pakistani leaders end up anyway.
Rex Minor.
Big fishes are not answerable to law in Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Every crime is allowed in Pakistan except being non-muslim, which is not at all a crime. These guys cannot understand your logic because these have extremely poor mind set.
Khan Sb, any comment on your container video where you are abusing Pakistani generals?
A farce wrapped in a drama inside a dharna. That, in a few words, is the story of PTI and its leader.
IK has lost all credibility to any sane PTI supporter, unless you're a KKK like supremacist believer. Not a single proof has been provided and still the same rant, elections were rigged but always are. We're not perfect no one is. Pakistan is a third world country what do we expect. IK did win in KPK and a few other seats here and there, from a party with no seats to the second largest party in Pakistan and still not satisfied. Pulling us into the stone age, Nawaz is all corrupt but he does bring foreign investment and new projects for Pakistan, which the previous govt did not. We should let him complete his term and let the 2018 decide where it goes. What we see now is immature politics, will not do us any good. On the other hand we really are missing out on alot of investment which can bring stability to the country. As for PTI fanatics food for thought: If we want justice across the board, why stick to all those people who supported Dictatorship most there life, Sheikh Rashid and Mr Tareen to name a few. and what about the blasphemy law, hundreds are rotting in jail, whose gonna ask for change in law. Standing on container all day, blaming is good or actually try to do something about it. Also Im not interested in knowing how blessed you're and only doing it for the masses, cause the effing masses are dying in Pakistan while you play the music loud in the capital. PTI is the only party I ever supported, too bad Im just a critic now.
Dear Pakistani's Keep this nation safe by keeping people like NS and Zardari as your PM and president. Tomorrow they will sell the whole nation and go abroad. Remember what an FBI American said about Pakistani's that we can sell (anything) even mo*r for money and Visa. Good luck to you and live peacefully under NS and Zardari.
Khan sahab we are with you..All the best
@Zafar: Then you need to ask yourself whether you trust impartial Western observers more than emotional biased people in Pakistan who will claim anything to make a point. Do you recall Imran Khan screaming that Nawaz Sharif was the biggest investor in Europe? Do you really believe that Nawaz Sharif has more money than Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and the mega billionaires of the world? For that matter do you think Nawaz Sharif has more money than Imran Khan's former father-in-law Sir Goldsmith even? If you think that keeping Nawaz Sharif in power is some type of Western conspiracy to make sure Imran Khan is not in power then you have only revealed the state of education of PTI followers. Strangely enough, I was a PTI member before this dharna nonsense of you believe it or not!
@Razi Khan: My question is why hasnt Imran Khan submitted his evidence in court that he has said he trusts.Imran Khan is nothing but a big fat liar.
@Zafar: The western observers clearly declared the elections most transparent ever held in Pakistan's history. Nawaz Sharif won because he had the nation behind him. This what Imran Khan and PTI trolls dont get.
@Zafar: LOL! Imran is backed by Goldsmith bank London. He receives his instructions from London (well established now despite Shireen Mazari lying on the record about this). What do you mean he is not bankrolled by western world. The West wants to destabalize Pakistan. Hence they are helping Khan create unrest and weaken our unity.
imran you are a villiant leader and the way you want to resolve problems is great > i like your strategy thanks
@Humza: Nawaz was backed by the Western world and the Western world also bank rolled Geo Gang group to represent Nawaz to influence public opinion because they wanted to make sure IK does not come into power. Naturally the Western world would say 2013 election was clean.
the anti-terror laws are strict but they are meant to protect american interests not pakistanis, hence, 15k karachites killed with so many police and army fighting to protect american interests.
@ayesha: The people who want martial law do not respect the vision of Quaid i Azam who was a supporter of democracy even though it's not perfect. The dictatorships have done more harm to Pakistan than any elected government ever has. Imran Khan is being manipulated by anti Pakistan elements to prevent investment and stability.
Democracy means equal rights and obligations for ALL citizens......regardless of biases of caste, creed, colour and religion!
As a true democratic leader who raises voice against inhuman societal injustices, Imran´s dharnas would have been rather in front of the jail where Asia Noreen Bibi is locked up or in Umerkot and Tharparkar where people are dying of thirst and hunger or for the uncountable slave labourers all over in Pakistan???
KPK is continuously being ignored by PTI. PTI will not win even a single seat from KPK in the next elections.
If 5 million ballot papers were given to Mian Sahib then we must appreciate that Mian Sahib used those votes very efficiently then what about the rumour that hidden forces gave millions of supporters to Imran Khan who could not use them efficiently except bored them to death with his speeches.
IK we really thank you for this awareness. Things has been changed. It does not matter NS resign or not but one thing is clear that people will not take any more family system politics.
Mr IK please dont make fool the nation more. People like you before your sit in but now they know you are a good player and social worker but failed politician. if you want people respect you, you need to concentrate on KP and show your performance. thats it.
Ik is standing up for common man tell who took stand like this before any leader names one, it s easy for ppl like u. Just stand up one day than tell me.it s easy to sat n write on comments ur comments will not change pakistan, come out n do something for pakistan. @Ch. Allah Daad:
@Rubab Farooqui: nothing change in ik statement but unfortunately u ppl can not read n that's why pakistan is in bottom of everything such as education, health, jobs n pakistan is on top such crimes, unlaw. Please come out n stand with ik cause this is last time some leader stand up against these crooks. Think is ur life or pakistani life get better in these 67 years only life got better is nawaz n zadari family.
If you think he is dumb enough to give all the evidence to a media trial. Please get yourself checked.
He should only and I repeat only present them in the court of law so action can be taken against the Zardari's and the Sharifs who have looted my tax money and bought estates for themselves and their children.
He is a 100% correct when he says that we need to hold these people accountable and brought in for trial.
gonawazgoBilawal is a zardari!
@AllahDaad At least he stood for himself .... If ur waiting for someone to stand for ur rights... Ull have to wait ur whle life, my friend...
The new revelations about printing of 5 million ballots are surely an eye-opener. Such disclosures are mind boggling for some of us side-liners. These past elections of 2013 should be scrutinized in detail and the findings should dictate future direction.
ELSE NOTHING WILL CHANGE and this game of passing baton from one corrupt to next and then to their new generation will continue.
Imran should be made PM for one day like Nizam Sakka this the only way out of this mess created by him
@Shahzad Actually he won in KPK with Hakimullah Mehsood help. Only rigging that happened is in KPK.
We welcome martial law. Martial law is better than a fake government that came through rigging.
@Lobster: Is your proof the same proof that Imran Khan has when he states that Nawaz Sharif is the biggest international investor in Europe with even more money than Warren Buffet and Bill Gates? IK has lost his sense of reality and thinks he is above the law.The Western World including Europe and America termed the 2013 Pakistan elections as largely fair and free despite minor rigging that goes on in all 3 rd World countries.They say the outcome would still be Nawaz Sharif if votes were recounted. Imran Khan need to look at the bigger picture which is the stability and long term health of the nation. He needs to work in the system through parliament and work to see that things are better for 2018; Not to engage in sore loser politics to soothe his ego. It his childish and immature behavior that has turned off former PTI supporters such as me who actually were proud of his showing in 2013 and hoped he would win in 2018 after showing us a great job in KPK and holding the government to account in parliament. Imran Khan showed only that he was willing to destabilize the country in his zeal to seize power. I do not feel for a second he can blame 60 years of problems in Pakistan on the last 1 1/2 years of this elected government. Imran Khan's language, behavior and allies like Shaikh Rasheed show he has changed into something worse than old Pakistan.
@Lobster: Surely but as you were aware that previous govt in Federal was by PPP and all printing or purchasing has been done by that Govt. Even PMLN was not favored by the election commission and PPP backed candidate was approved as Interim PM. Problem is NADRA admits that magnetic ink was expired after 3-4 days. How can you give opinion on entirely technical matter. When I went for my renewal of CNIC on NADRA center, it took 5 minutes for my finger print scans as device was atypically behaving. Issue my friend is PTI didn't challenge a single vote during whole ballot casting process. PTI loose its petition for not providing detail or proof regarding claims of rigging aren't enough. Please consult article 225 for more detail.
There's no justice in the country. Just juctices for the protection of the corrupt and the powerful.
Mr Allah Dad, What does it mean to stand for people? To rigg elections then not to allow investigation. To free corrupt through fair investigation of NAB. To bury 58 billion in Nandi Pur.
Where's the protest and call for justice for the polio workers... Where's the protest for rights of minority... What happened to all the noise and protest against drones??? It's become all about me me and justice for me!
Absolutely pathetic .
He should change to running night clubs with DJ Butt in London .
Wasn't he going to disclose the murderers of MQM MPA killed in Lahore a couple of months back. He announced with fanfare that he has all the evidence and will release details in two days, and then nothing. And what justice is he going to establish where you hold people guilty by announcing their names from the top of the container without proof, due process, or a trial. Will he and his team stand up to the same style of justice if, God forbid, they come to power and somebody accuses them?
If you want proof than why government is not ready for the audit of elections. Let us have an audit of seleted seats and decide this matter
Khan Sb: Justice is sought in courts NOT on streets.
O really! That is a change as so far all I saw was desperation to come into power with clutches from lotas like Shah Mehmood Quershi , Tareen and others who have done nothing in their life except betting on parties which can catapult them into to power.
Rigging is also a form of corruption. Every one knows Nawaz and Zardari are the most corrupt politicians and both especially Nawaz is the most cunning. They concoct lies and give twisted statements to fool the masses. It is next to impossible to expect that Nawaz is clean and did not engage in rigging.
I wish you had stood up for common people, not for yourself.
@Shahzad: There need to be an investigation, there is no proof needed for fake ink, Ch Nisar acknowledged it. Somebody must be punished if nothing else only for purchasing fake ink. Every constituency opened so far has anomalies, hundreds of video exists, no body punished yet. No body will trust elections if no one is held accountable, its just not about current govt only!
Don't know what to believe since his statements have changed gazillion times over the last 4 months. All his claims & deadlines proved to be fake! Can't believe that this nation has been fooled by him for more than 100 days.
Where are the proofs? he said he will present. it's just same old rant we have been hearing since past year. And we are sick of it. please ik move on and concentrate in KPK. Your logic is so flawed if there was systematic rigging how you won in kpk?