A file photo of PTI chairman Imran Khan. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has said he will lead the party’s re-election campaign himself if PTI members are de-seated from the National Assembly.
“I will recommend my party not to return to the assemblies,” he said while talking to media after his party meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday. “I want to make it clear, accept our resignations and I will lead the party’s election campaign myself.”
Imran argued that the government should decide whether it was with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) on removing his party members from NA.
“If our resignations are accepted, we will lead an excellent (re-election) campaign. In fact this is the time…,” said the PTI chairman.
Read: With one voice: Govt, opposition join hands to block move to unseat PTI MPs
The PTI chief criticised both the MQM and the JUI-F for their policies, which were only aimed at defaming his party, and not for strengthening of democracy.
In a rare show of unity, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the main opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Monday had blocked a move to unseat 33 federal lawmakers of PTI for their absence from the lower house of parliament for more than 40 days.
About his stance on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Imran reiterated that after the poll inquiry verdict, the election authority members had no moral authority to remain in office.
A three-judge inquiry commission probing into allegations of systematic rigging in the 2013 general elections rejected last month the PTI's allegations of organised rigging during elections.
Read: Election rigging probe: Inquiry commission rejects PTI’s allegations
Meanwhile, about elections within his party, Imran said polls would be held soon after local government elections were held in Sindh and Punjab.
“The party’s election commission is taking into account all our shortcomings,” he said. “Soon we will announce a membership campaign.”
While rejecting claims there was a ‘mafia’ within the PTI, Imran said every party had groupings, but what mattered was merit.
“We were taking a presentation today to make PTI a merit-based party,” he said. “Party’s new constitution is also being prepared.”
Senior PTI leader Hamid Khan on August 1 had strongly criticised the policies of his party, saying the ‘cronies’ of military dictators had joined the party.
The PTI chief added his party’s constitution gave him the right to choose his own team, adding that membership of anyone who criticiced the party in public would be immediately suspended.
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