Shunning politics of confrontations, Imran vows to create 'Naya K-P'

PTI chief says his party will not create any difficulties for incumbent government in its fight against terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said on Sunday that his party would prove that governance in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is better than the other provinces of the country, making it ‘Naya K-P’.

Shunning the politics of confrontation, PTI chief on Sunday announced to pursue all out efforts to improve governance in the K-P.

Imran also clarified that his party would not create any difficulties for the incumbent government in its fight against terrorism.

“We have decided not to create any sort of difficulties so the government could succeed in the war on terror," he said.

“Now all our energies will be directed to reform K-P,” said Imran while addressing the ‘Dharna Convention’ in Islamabad.

Listing de-politicisation of K-P police as one of the major accomplishment of his party, the PTI chief said, “There has not been a single FIR registered against political rivals.”

Outlining the agenda to improve governance in the province ruled by his party, Imran said a cleaning drive will be launched in the entire province, followed by a tree-plantation drive, measures to ensure supply of safe drinking water, as well as improving the systems of government hospitals and educational institutes.

Regarding local government elections in the province, the PTI chief said the province was ready to hold polls but not through the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

“The real change will come through the local bodies system,” adding that, “Powers will be devolved to village-level and no MNA, MPA will receive development funds.”

Talking about change, Imran jokingly added that a change had come in his personal life as well (“Tabdeeli to mere ghar mei bhi agayi hai,” he said.)

Reforms within PTI

Imran argued that the PTI’s 126-day long sit-in at D-Chowk, Islamabad allowed him to understand the strengths and weaknesses of his party, and hence, has decided to reorganise it on district level.

“People, who are not performing, will be kicked out and new people will be brought into the party,” he said. “We have to make this party a democratic party.”

He asked PTI leaders Arif Alvi and Saifullah Niazi to begin with the party’s membership drive, and also hold intra-party elections if possible.

Rigging in 2013 elections

Reiterating his earlier stance that the general elections of 2013 were the most rigged polls in the history of Pakistan, the PTI chief thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for giving him 126 days to awaken the nation.

Imran said the people of Pakistan had been awakened, and thanked the workers and supporters of PTI, especially women and the youth for coming in large numbers to support the cause of Pakistan.

Taking a jibe at the incumbent government for the current petroleum crisis, he said, “We were going for shutdown but the PML-N government itself shut the entire country by creating a petrol shortage."

The cricketer-turned-politician added that there should be confusion over the PTI's stance and that the party would not budge an inch from its principled stand on poll rigging investigation.

He also called out the former Punjab law minister, vowing to hold him accountable for his party worker's killing in Faisalabad.

“Listen, Rana Sanaullah, you will find yourself in prison this very year."