Putting the foot down: Imran rues ‘family politics’

PESHAWAR:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan said he is sorry for the existence of family politics within his party and said gone are the days when relatives of PTI members would be handed tickets for polls.

Talking to the media at the Chief Minister House on Tuesday, Imran said 55 local government-elects were expelled from the party over violation of discipline. “Enquiry against two MPAs and one senator is under way.”



He said Rs43 billion had been set aside for LGs and the money would be spent directly for the well-being of the people.

Imran said he was impressed with Peshawar’s performance on the national T20 circuit and the K-P government decided to establish a state-of-the-art cricket facility in the city and smaller grounds in every union council of the province.

Talking about the Ehtesab Commission, he said, “The commission has compiled a list of corrupt bureaucrats and politicos who will be behind bars in no time,” he added. Answering a question on Ziaullah Afridi’s allegations against provincial bigwigs, Imran said the detained former minister needed to clear his position.

Imran said an institution for street children would be set up on Charsadda Road near Khazana Sugar Mills where 1,000 children would be accommodated. “Upon Reham’s suggestion, we have decided to name the academy after Waseem Akram.”

The PTI supremo had earlier visited the Combined Military Hospital in the city to meet those injured in the Pakistan Air Force Badhaber base attack. Separately, an Inter-Services Public Relations handout stated a delegation of Army Public School, Peshawar students and staffers also visited the injured and expressed solidarity with them.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2015.