Imran says PTI has 126,000 documentary proofs

Party to submit ‘evidence’ in May 5 hearing of inquiry body

ISLAMABAD: Ever since the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has cried foul over the 2013 general elections, the overall perception in the country is that the party does not have any documentary evidence to support its allegations.

However, “those who think we do not have any evidence are mistaken,” PTI Chairman Imran Khan told the media on Wednesday at the party’s central secretariat. “We have 126,000 documents that prove the polls were rigged,” said Imran. “On Tuesday [May 5], we shall submit evidence related to 74 constituencies to the inquiry body.” He then reiterated his pledge to accept whatever verdict is issued by the judicial commission formed to investigate the vote fraud allegations.

K-P protesters

Outside the secretariat, angry protesters from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) shouted slogans against the provincial government throughout the duration of the press conference, but Imran seemed unfazed. “They are not against me.”

Though he said he was a ‘mediator’ between them and the K-P government, he complained that the demonstrators had “blocked the road leading to my residence [in Bani Gala]”.

The PTI chief recalled that his party had not blocked any roads during its 126-day sit-in in front of the Parliament House. “There is difference between standing up for your rights and blackmailing.” He said that for the past two months the protesters had been raising their voice against the K-P government’s insistence to appoint teachers at the Workers Welfare Board after conducting the NTS test. “They don’t want to take any test, but I’m sure I’ll win them over.”

About Karachi

Accepting the victory of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in the NA-246 by-poll in Karachi, Imran said: “Our candidate was not allowed to canvass.... the MQM has been terrorising people.”

Regarding the law and order situation in the port city, he said action should be taken against target killers irrespective of their party affiliation. “It is because of the volatile law and order situation that businessmen are left with no other option but to relocate to other countries.”

Election tribunal

Reiterating his earlier stance, Imran said the PTI’s election tribunal, headed by Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed, stood dissolved. “All of us respect Justice Wajih, but the tribunal has completed its task.”

He said the tribunal was constituted to look into allegations of rigging in the intra-party elections. “The core committee accepted its findings and appointed a new chief election commissioner.” Differences emerged when Justice Wajih said a caretaker should be appointed, but “we said unless the election schedule is issued, the old setup should continue”, added Imran.

Economic corridor

Regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the party chief said: “It is a golden opportunity for Pakistan to uplift its backward areas.” PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the government had made a commitment to brief all the political parties over the project. “But that has yet to happen.”

Cantonment polls

On the party’s performance in the cantonment boards’ elections, Imran said the results had provided the PTI with an opportunity to do some soul-searching. “We shall examine if our selection of candidates was right and what mistakes we made so that we could perform well in the upcoming local government polls.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2015.