ECP & caretakers were taking orders from PML-N leaders & were against the PTI: Imran Khan
LAHORE, Feb 23 (SABAH): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan has called upon the judiciary to ensure that the Constitution is upheld and pave the way for elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Addressing his supporters via video link from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore, Imran Khan accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party of attacking judges in an attempt to delay the polls at any cost.
In his address, Imran Khan accused the PML-N of having a history of attacking and buying the loyalties of judges. He also alleged that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was controlling the caretaker setup in Punjab.
Imran Khan reminded the judiciary that the Constitution is clear about holding elections within 90 days following the dissolution of the assembly. He urged the judiciary to resist pressure from both establishment and “Sharif and Zardari mafia”.
“This is a defining moment in the country’s history. Either the neutrals pressurise judiciary or these two mafia families Sharif and Zardari,” he said.
According to Imran Khan, the only way to lift the country out of its current crisis is to hold elections. He also criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and caretakers, claiming that they were taking orders from PML-N leaders and were against the PTI.
Imran Khan also hailed his party’s “Jail Bharo Tehreek” (fill prison movement) and said that it shows that the PTI workers are not afraid of jails. He lamented that those who voluntarily presented themselves for arrests are being treated like criminals and being moved to different prisons in Punjab.
The PTI chief criticised PM Shehbaz’s statement that inflation would rise further due to an IMF deal, asking if the PM had any shame and if he had ever asked the public about how they are making ends meet.
Imran Khan said that if the PTI were not present in the country, the public would resort to violence, like protesters who ransacked the presidential palace in Sri Lanka due to an economic crisis. He maintained that the “court arrest” movement was against the economic meltdown and the incumbent government’s attempts to delay polls.
Imran Khan claimed the efforts to debar him from the politics underway. Imran Khan recalled PTI leader Shahbaz Gill’s claim of torture, saying, “Gill was tortured to give a statement against me.”
He schooled the incumbent government, saying, “Even during martial law regimes, the country did not witness such brutality as it is witnessing today”. He lamented the case of terrorism was lodged against him.
Imran Khan recalled the arrests of PTI leaders, saying, “Our people had been arrested from their homes.” He lamented that along with Shahbaz Gill, Azam Swati was subjected to torture.
Imran Khan heaped praise on Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and Chaudhry Moonis Elahi for extending their support to the PTI, claiming that the PML-Q was under pressure to leave him. Berating the coalition government, Imran Khan said, “Everyone is aware of the fact that the government is resorting to wicked tactics.”