LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Sunday that his party will participate in the presidential elections — under protest.
“We agree with the opposition’s standpoint to boycott the elections, but we don’t want to leave an open ground for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N),” he said, during a press conference in Lahore.
Asserting that preparations were being made to rig the by-elections, he said that PTI will stand against such efforts.
“I will lead the protests myself,” Imran said, adding that he will ensure transparent elections are held in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
“I challenge everyone to point out any wrongdoings before by-elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa,” he said.
Blaming the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for holding the elections early, he said that Commission should have considered the possibility of the elections falling on the 27th of Ramazan, which is considered to be a holy night for Muslims worldwide.
All Parties’ Conference (APC)
The PTI Chairman said that he would not be attending the All Parties’ Conference (APC) as it never yielded results.
“Three APCs have taken place but to no avail. I want real information on matters of national security,” said Imran.
The PTI Chairman said that terrorism is the country’s biggest problem.
“I have been asking for a meeting with General Ashfaq Kayani and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before the APC,” he said, adding that the people had no idea about the agreements made by the government with various parties.
“It was because of WikiLeaks that we found out that our government had entered into a deal to allow drone strikes,” he asserted.
“I know for a fact that these things won’t come up in the APC and that’s why I want a meeting to be called before that,” he said.
PTI to take part in presidential elections ‘under protest’: Imran Khan – The Express Tribune
