PTI Chairperson Imran Khan. PHOTO: INP
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Saturday linked the fate of Karachi to the outcome of the NA-246 (Azizabad) by-election -- a vote result that could potentially alter both the future of Karachi and the prosperity of Pakistan.
Addressing a news conference a day before his party is scheduled to hold a public meeting at Shahrah-e-Pakistan, Imran Khan asked the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to let the people vote freely.
“We are contesting this seat only to bring the people of Karachi out of fear,” said Imran. “This one seat will not change anything for us in the National Assembly.”
He said the business community of Karachi has been perturbed for the past 25 years because of the deteriorating law and order situation of the city. “People are leaving Karachi and moving abroad, which is damaging the country’s economy.”
The PTI chief said every movement in Pakistan has started from Karachi. “The PTI has given Karachiites the chance to live freely and make Karachi the City of Lights again.”
Contestants
Talking about the decision of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) to contest the by-polls, Imran termed it a “good omen” that the JI has planned to play the match.
However, he criticised the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz for not contesting the seat. “The PML-N thinks getting elected from Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is more important; Karachi is not important to them.”
Judicial body
The PTI chairman termed the constitution of the judicial commission for investigating into the party’s allegations of rigging in the 2013 general elections a “historic moment”. He said 21 political parties have expressed their concerns over “electoral fraud”.
Responding to a question, Imran said his party is prepared to provide all the evidences of rigging to the judicial body.
‘Fake voters’
Imran Ismail, the PTI’s candidate for the NA-246 by-election, said dead people have been voting in Karachi for the past eight years, adding that overseas Pakistanis have also been voting for the past 25 years.
“Our party has identified ghost polling stations in the Azizabad constituency,” he said. “One polling station was declared a college, but it is really an office of the All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation.”
He criticised the MQM for fielding a candidate who does not even belong to Karachi. “Kanwar Naveed is from Hyderabad. How can he represent Karachi?” PTI Karachi President Ali Zaidi said MQM activists have been collecting computerised national identity cards from the residents of Azizabad. “They are involved in printing fake ballot papers.”
Election day
The PTI chairman expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements made by the Rangers to conduct a free and fair election. He requested the paramilitary force to create an environment free from fear so that the people could step out of their homes without any apprehensions to vote on April 23.
“I want to congratulate Imran Ismail for his unwavering stance in spite of the difficulties he has faced since the start of the election campaign.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2015.
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