Local government elections in K-P will bring 'real change': Imran

Says people in K-P will elect 45,000 representatives from all over the province

MARDAN: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan said on Wednesday that his dream of ‘Naya Pakistan’ will turn into a reality from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as the local government system in the province will bring 'real change'.

“We will bring a system which has never been introduced in Pakistan before. People will be empowered on village-level and the people will take their decisions themselves,” said Imran while addressing a party rally in Mardan as part of the forthcoming local bodies polls on May 30 in the province.

The PTI chief said that through local governments, local representatives will get development funds rather than MNAs and MPAs.

“They will not have to go after the ministers but it will be otherwise. This is revolution,” he said. “Decisions of Mardan will be taken in Mardan and not in Peshawar.”

He argued that local representatives will decide on the building local schools, hospitals and cricket grounds.

Read: Local government: ‘Elected representatives will resolve problems at grass-roots level’

“We have to do things, which were never ever done before done in Pakistan.”

Taking a jibe at the Awami National Party (ANP), Imran said, “You were in government for five years, why didn’t you hold local government elections?”

Citing examples of Switzerland and other countries of Europe, Imran said he was inspired by the West, and developed the local bodies system himself.

“Switzerland is a country with cows and mountains only but the people are prosperous because they are independent,” said Imran. “They themselves manage their schools, hospitals and dispensaries.”

He thanked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for allowing him to campaign for his party in the spirit of true democracy.

Imran said the people in K-P will elect 45,000 representatives from all over the province as compared to Punjab, which although comprises 60% of Pakistan’s population, will only elect about 35,000 representatives.

He said all parties had come together against the PTI but he will emerge victorious.

“Do not worry your captain will defeat everyone.”

He said the police in K-P was an exemplary force for the entire Pakistan as compared to Punjab.

“Punjab Police serves Raiwind and the Sharif family.”

Hitting out at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Imran said change comes through investing in your people and not building Metro Buses and underpasses.