PTI chief Imran Khan. PHOTO: ONLINE
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Saturday pledged that his party would not repeat its ‘dharna politics’ or else its foes would accuse it of creating fissures within the national resolve to fight militancy.
“We will not go for another dharna at this stage, because the nation is united to fight the menace of militancy and we don’t want to be blamed for creating hurdles,” Imran told reporters at his Bani Gala residence.
He said the decision to return to parliament would be taken after the government forms the proposed judicial commission to probe alleged rigging in the 2013 elections.
Questioning the lingering petroleum crisis in the country, Imran accused the government of earning commission on POL products.
On the issue of rigging, he pointed out that in a Lahore constituency alone, a quarter of the votes cast were without thumbprint impressions and proper signatures, and many bags lacked forms 15 and 16.
He claimed his party’s four-month-long sit-in compelled the government to refrain from increasing the electricity tariff, despite pressure from the IMF. “But once we called off our protest, the government increased GST, surcharge on gas and power tariffs.” Condemning the caricatures printed by Charlie Hebdo, Imran urged international leaders and the OIC to play their role in defusing the situation. He termed it a major failure of the OIC to not raise the issue at international forums.
PTI leader Asad Umar, who was present beside Imran, alleged that there is infighting in the corridors of power over the appointment of a permanent managing director of the Pakistan State Oil as there is a huge commission involved in the appointment.
He lamented that due to the inefficiency of the government, PSO had become a bank defaulter and no international agency is now ready to import furnace oil.
Meanwhile, Imran Khan has directed the K-P chief minister against arranging any special protocol for his future visits to the province. In a letter to Pervez Khattak on Saturday, the PTI chief wrote that the next time he visited he K-P, he should not be received either by the chief minister or by any provincial minister or lawmaker. Instead, Imran said, they should carry on their work and only relevant officials, ministers or lawmakers should be present.
Two PML-Q leaders join PTI
Two Pakistan Musim League-Quaid leaders, former lawmaker and seasoned politician Riaz Fatayana and Saeed Virk announced plans to join the PTI on Saturday.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2015.
COMMENTS (13)
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Go Imran Go.
I guess marriage has taken hot air out of Khan and sensibility has starting prevailing.
He couldn't have done dharnas without Tahirul Qadri and since later has decided to not do any more dharnas, Khan couldn't have done one on his own.
Imran Khan has been criticizing everyone but the man still has to his own caliber beyond a cricket team and a hospital. He has a chance in KP and if he takes his whole team of so called intellectuals and produce results better then other provinces then certainly people will vote for him in next election and he wouldn't have to worry about clutches like Judicial Commission to bring him to power.
As PML (N) on the way out there will be a political vacuum in the next election. It is only KP which can install Imran Khan into power in next election. Hope Mrs. Khan can put this in to Mr. Khan's head.
Married life is completely different from lives of chronic bachelors. Its good to see that Imran has escaped from the clutches of Sheeda Tully and has become a very responsible family man. Reham has imposed Curfew on him after sunset.
Marriage seems to have have done him good......he's now thinking pragmatically.
Magnanimous decision.
Mature statements, Mrs Khan effect. Hain jee :)
It seems khan is learning from his mistakes and improving very positive more must be appreciated.
Message from the "One" who used to be the "Umpire" a few months back is loud and clear - Shape up or get ready to be Shipped out.
Ungli uth gai.
Let me be very clear Imran i really admire your personality and dedication for this nation however your decisions have been pretty poor since the end of the dharna. Now just please FOCUS ON KPK! I want to see developments in KPK otherwise you arnt getting my vote for sure.
IK a bad bad bad dream for some naive Pakistanis. Confusion reigns supreme, both in his personal and professional activities. He was simply good for chasing wickets and women, that was just about all that he was capable of, very very sad
Man or honor, fighting for justice, trying to free the gullible and naive pmln sell souls as well as the rest of nation who have been victims of NS's constant lies and money grabbing. I hope one day this nation wakes up to realize it has been relying on the tried and failed leaders and give chance to new and promising people.
To PMLN people, you have not only destroyed other's lives but also of your own childern, I wonder now if that "thought" or 1000 RS sellout was well worth it.
The "Go Imran Go" slogan worked !! Now the Great Khan is afraid he might be at the receiving end of the same treatment. At least no more ridiculous sit-ins and daily bhangra.