Alleged rigging: Minister says Imran has failed to provide proof
Says sit-ins tainted image of Pakistan in front of world community
ISLAMABAD:
Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Saturday chided Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan over his “latest failure” to present evidence of poll rigging before the election tribunal.
Senator Rashid said Imran’s answers during the proceedings showed that he is trying to dupe innocent people. “When the PTI was questioned about proof of rigging by newspersons, he hastily retreated towards his vehicle, claiming that evidence is in the bags which should be opened,” said the information minister.
The minister said that protests and sit-ins have tainted the image of Pakistan in the international community. At the same time, he reminded Imran that if the economy improves through foreign investment and the war on terror succeeds then any party forming the next government would be the beneficiary.
About talks with PTI, he said that PTI has to change its attitude if it wants the new process of dialogue to be successful.
Taking a jibe at the cricketer-turned politician, Rashid said when political workers and journalists were facing atrocities and imprisonment due to their struggle against martial law, Imran was running with a cricket ball in his hand and working as an entertainer.
“It is because of the sacrifices rendered by political workers that Imran is making speeches from a [shipping] container.” He pointed out that Imran Khan had left Pakistan and joined the Kerry Packer circus for money.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership has decided to follow an offensive strategy to counter and neutralise the pressure put by Imran on the judges of the election tribunal, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Sources privy to the development said that Imran’s appearance before the tribunal had given an opportunity to the party leadership to counter the PTI pressure on his rigging campaign.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 7th, 2014.
Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Saturday chided Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan over his “latest failure” to present evidence of poll rigging before the election tribunal.
Senator Rashid said Imran’s answers during the proceedings showed that he is trying to dupe innocent people. “When the PTI was questioned about proof of rigging by newspersons, he hastily retreated towards his vehicle, claiming that evidence is in the bags which should be opened,” said the information minister.
The minister said that protests and sit-ins have tainted the image of Pakistan in the international community. At the same time, he reminded Imran that if the economy improves through foreign investment and the war on terror succeeds then any party forming the next government would be the beneficiary.
About talks with PTI, he said that PTI has to change its attitude if it wants the new process of dialogue to be successful.
Taking a jibe at the cricketer-turned politician, Rashid said when political workers and journalists were facing atrocities and imprisonment due to their struggle against martial law, Imran was running with a cricket ball in his hand and working as an entertainer.
“It is because of the sacrifices rendered by political workers that Imran is making speeches from a [shipping] container.” He pointed out that Imran Khan had left Pakistan and joined the Kerry Packer circus for money.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership has decided to follow an offensive strategy to counter and neutralise the pressure put by Imran on the judges of the election tribunal, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Sources privy to the development said that Imran’s appearance before the tribunal had given an opportunity to the party leadership to counter the PTI pressure on his rigging campaign.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 7th, 2014.