Fending off criticism: Imran rules out more PTI sit-ins
Hits out at govt over petrol crisis, suspects ‘kickbacks’
PTI chief Imran Khan. PHOTO: ONLINE
ISLAMABAD:
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.
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.