'CEC Ebrahim might not cope up with corrupt leaders'

E-Paper | February 23, 2026

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan- AFP Photo

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Sunday that the government has already planned to rig the upcoming elections. The newly appointed chief election commissioner (CEC) might not be able to get along with the government for a long time, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives before a meeting with his party’s election strategic committee in Lahore, the PTI Chief said that the present government has time till March but all its energies are focused on plundering the country and corruption.

He said that although he appreciated the only step of the present government – the appointment of Fakhruddin G Ebrahim as the CEC – but a person of Ebrahim’s stature might not be able to cope up with these corrupt rulers.

Moreover, Khan said that at least one lac people would participate in the ‘tsunami march’ that would go to Wazirisitan.

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Nasir

Jul 15, 2012 08:56pm

Lets not have too much expectation from Imran Khan. As a nation we have very bad experience previously.

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Tahir

Jul 15, 2012 04:30pm

Both of the above are wrong! He simply is stating facts to CEC so he is prepared. We all know PPP and PML N are both as corrupt! The amount of support for IK is evident across the nation. People are desperate for him to come into power. True and fair elections will result in PTI sweeping the country. Therefore, his concerns of rigging is justifiable.

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Aimal

Jul 15, 2012 07:34pm

may be

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baakhlaq

Jul 15, 2012 06:40pm

Imran Khan is suffering from incurable skepticism and over estimates his abilities.Most of his decisions in his short political career are simply decisions and revisions and revisions and still prove futile and then he defends his decisions with lame excuses.

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Rashid

Jul 15, 2012 07:31pm

Doesn't matter what you do, Imran Khan is a nothing but a crying baby. This guy never appreciate anything, he only knows how to criticize. I feel pity about his zealot followers, grow up and start talking reality, then may be one day you have courage to face the reality.

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Yawar

Jul 15, 2012 09:46pm

Try to understand IK's statement. He is appreciating the present government's appointment of Ebrahim. His point is that since Ebrahim is known to be fair and honest, he will not be able to get along with the present government.

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Yawar

Jul 15, 2012 09:41pm

Imran Khan appears shocked along with the rest of Pakistan's honest segment of the population at the appoitment of a clean and honest Ibrahim. I am sure by making this statement, Imran Khan wants to ensure that Ibrahim stays in his new position through the elections. Also, I think PPP realizes that without Benazir, it cannot win the next elections and so by having fair elections the lesser evil for PPP in the shape of Imran Khan would be much better than Nawaz Sharif.

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Yawar

Jul 15, 2012 09:23pm

I dont think you understood Imran Khan's position. His is saying that since Ibrahim is honest, he may not get along with the current corrupt government.

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billo

Jul 15, 2012 08:31pm

He's already making excuses because he knows he has no hope in free and fair elections.

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Mehran

Jul 15, 2012 08:26pm

People who are posting comments against Imran khan are traitors.

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Rashid

Jul 15, 2012 08:01pm

Yes, what else would you expect from a guy who only knows how to criticize. He always claims that things can only be sort out from the top, so when he criticize CEC he implicitly negating his own theory.

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Nino

Jul 15, 2012 06:36pm

With all the sound and fury in the last election he fought, IK got himself one seat. With all the criticisms he now heaps upon other leaders ,displaying arrogance, he will now get between 15 and 20 seats. Cheers, he can team up with MQM and become a king-maker!!

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Ahmed

Jul 15, 2012 06:34pm

Imran Khan and his claims for making Pakistan a "Islamic Welfare State" will prove to be as bogus and disastrous for the nation as Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's slogan of "Islamic Socialism". In case of Bhutto, these slogans in practice wrecked the economy, since he translated "Socialism" to mean the disastrous nationalization of banks and small enterprises, and he translated "Islam" to mean the gratuitous and equally disastrous pandering to the molvis. Pakistan cannot afford another Zulfikar Ali Bhutto!!

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Neltajohn

Jul 16, 2012 12:13am

All politicians who have been in power in pakistan. If Imran Khan is elected he will be just as corrupt so he is not a holy cow.

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1277sachughtai

Jul 16, 2012 12:00am

Let us all pray for a Happy and Prosperous Pakistan, we had enough of PPP and (N), now if a new face has appeared on the scene, let us be patient. Hope he will have a good team with him, people who would be trustworthy, honest and intellectuals. Let us wait for a change...if it happens.

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Irfan Brohi

Jul 15, 2012 04:36pm

He is now seeing defeat in the elections and looking for excuses. He wants to contest elections only if PPP and PMLN are completely disqualified leaving him only in the field. Where is his tsunami march against Nato supplies?

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SA (USA)

Jul 16, 2012 04:19am

Under the present and the prevailing circumstances Imran Khan can be the only hope for the people of Pakistan if got elected and remained honest. Otherwise they will be confirming the kind of government they deserve by re-electing the same Characters again and again. "Na samjhogai tou mit jao gai ai (Pakistanwalo) tumhaari dastaan tuk na hou gii dastaano Mai". What IK said about the CEC shwos his fear based on commonsense acknowledging him as an honest person.

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king of darkness

Jul 15, 2012 06:16pm

Did he said to hold tsunami march against NATO Supplies??.. Han??. He only said to hold it if the govt stands against the supreme court!!!.. And BTW, what has DPC achieved in staging it's long march??.. The NATO supplies are still on..:O

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salamullah

Jul 15, 2012 04:39pm

IK is definitly against all corrupt. Lets hope he continues his mission to help the public of Pakistan and achieves his objective to eradicte corruption.

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Dani

Jul 15, 2012 04:39pm

Now he doesn't he trust Fakhruddin G Ibrahim. Only Allah can make him happy.

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concerned pakistani

Jul 15, 2012 04:14pm

if the people of Pakistan vote the same parties to power they will be signing their own obituary but there will be no tears shed for them

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Tariq

Jul 15, 2012 06:58pm

The ordinary layman will sell out to the corrupted politicians for a day's worth of food and this exactly what the big parties do, fill the empty stomachs of the poor for a day in exchange for their vote. IKhan should reach out to the 'poor' as they need to under stand the value of their vote as that's where the bulk of the votes lye, in rural areas!

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Rashid

Jul 16, 2012 02:25am

Imran Khan is not capable of handling state Affairs. He never use common while addressing to public. ISI is supporting him but he will miserablly fail in next elections maximum seat he can win is around 20 to 27. Nawaz Sharif is still more popular in punjab. Zardari in Sindh MQM in Karachi, Split mandate in NWFP & Baluchistan. People in pakistan are miserably divided on the basis of there ethinicity. Pakistan will split apart in next 15 to 20 years. No more pakistan on the world map. Sorry but it looks like what will gone a happen. Thank you

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saeed

Jul 16, 2012 02:27am

now he have a problem with hiring a honest guy . what this guy want just make him King .

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saeed

Jul 16, 2012 02:38am

why don't he let CEC decide that he can coupe or not.

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Cyrus Howell

Jul 16, 2012 03:01am

On his first day as president Khan will need body armor and a riot helmet.

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Cyrus Howell

Jul 16, 2012 03:04am

Give President Zardari credit. He has had to work harder than he thought he would have to.

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imran saudi

Jul 16, 2012 04:27am

Let us not put much hope on IK. We need truely a politician who listens to masses not the man who speaks to poor people. IK appears to be honest , but can he diliver ? A person who is truely embodied with political wisdom, very intelligent,shrewd with intellectual mind, literate is our requirement. Bhutto is an example. coming from village background and speaked poor peoples language, intelligent enough to draw everyone to Pakistan is my choice. IK is normal IQ person, risen from TV shows. he married daughter of one of richest man in England. Though he made Shaukat Khanam, so Edhi has also made such project, obviously more. i don't see much ability is with IK to handle our mixed political,riligious,sectarian issues. i doubt strongly. Let be realistic.

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Zain

Jul 15, 2012 06:04pm

Irfan Shab What lame excuses are you putting to undermine Imran Khan, Please correct me because I think you must be blind.

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Salman

Jul 15, 2012 04:05pm

Imran khan surely would take on this corrupt mafia ruling the country now. May Allah bless him success.

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Liaquat Merchant

Jul 15, 2012 07:17pm

Liaquat Merchant. The appointment of Retired Justice Fakhruddin G Ebrahim as CEC in Pakistan is a good omen for the country. The CEC judging by his past record will not tolerate any wrongful actions related to the elections or any wrongful interference by the Government in the exercise of his duties and functions. He resigned on a matter of principle as Judge of the Supreme Court, Attorney General and Governor Sind and will not hesitate to do so again if impediments are put in his way for holding a free and fair election. I wish him good luck and hope that this will be good for Pakistan. Liaquat Merchyant.

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khan

Jul 15, 2012 04:30pm

Why it is so hard for the people of pakistan to differentiate betwen right and wrong. I guess they are not used to honesty and honest people like Mr.Khan.

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ToThePoint

Jul 15, 2012 04:29pm

Imran Khan is right! It is a very logical statement where he doesn't cast doubt on the CEC yet expresses his apprehensions. Bravo!

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seth sarwar

Jul 15, 2012 05:43pm

WHY iMRAN IS SHOWING DOUBTS ON THE HANDLING BY THE NEW CEC? ITS A POINT TO THINK. iMRAN IF HE IS INTERESTED IN FAIR ELECTIONS SHOULD STOP MOANING AND GRONING, THERE MIGHT BE A SURPRISE FOR HIM AND HIS SELECTED LEADERS. WHAT ABOUT IF HIS YOUTH DOES NOT GET HIM VOTES AND SEATS. IS IT THE PRELUDE TO AFTER ELECTIONS SCENIRO?

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JNC

Jul 15, 2012 05:45pm

What's wrong with this guy? He just can't make up his mind what he actually wants. First he felt comfortable with the appointment of the new CEC but now is having second thoughts as the CEC is too decent to control the corrupt PPP and PML N. This would imply that we need a corrupt and agressive CEC to foil the possibility of rigging the elections because he would know how the corrupt manipulate. The reality is however different. He is just trying to cover up for a possible electoral defeat.

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HASHIM KARIMH

Jul 15, 2012 05:33pm

CEC EBRAHIM IS GREAT HONEST PERSON AND HE GOT TO REALIZE WITH WHOM HE IS DEALING? DEALING WITH A BUNCH OF CRIMINALS WHO HAVE PLAYED GAMES AND MADE FUN OF SUPREME COURT JUDGES. ELECTION IN PAKISTAN IS JUST A NAME. THEREFORE IT IS UPTO CEC, PTI, AND PML-N TO INSIST ON NEUTRAL AND HONEST CARE TAKERS. IF PPP GETAWAY WITH BOGUS WIN AS ALWAYS THEN IT IS GOOD BYE TO PAKISTAN AND BYE BYE TO PTI FIOR GOOD.

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Majid Sheikh

Jul 15, 2012 05:27pm

Why is IK finding fault in the appointment of the CEC? It is time we, finally, trusted the honest.

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Reality

Jul 15, 2012 03:33pm

This Man ( Imran Khan ) can not be happy with any one. this is his problem ????

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Falcon

Jul 15, 2012 05:19pm

I agree with him 100%. If people think that the corrupt political elite of the country can give up temptation to manipulate the election in their favor, this is too naive. Even a leopard can't get rid of his spots in a day. Its just their workings will be much more sophisticated for the poor people of the country to recognize (as has been the case for 65 years now).

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Mahmood

Jul 15, 2012 05:15pm

He is an idealist , people like that never accept defeat just like Tariq bin Ziad. No offence intended.

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Dr Afzal

Jul 15, 2012 05:12pm

International observers must be invited to view the Elections. President Carter and his organization who has monitored Elections in different countries for many years, must be invited to observe the upcoming elctions.

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Syed

Jul 15, 2012 05:08pm

Because he is honest and fair. Its easy for an honest and fair person to get alongwith hypocrates

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Muhammad Faryad

Jul 15, 2012 03:19pm

Is Imran getting ready for a defeat in coming elections by setting the stage to blame his defeat on the rigging claims?

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asad

Jul 16, 2012 06:18am

most of people who are talking against Imran khan are actually dumb people belonging to corrupt parties. They dont want to see Pakistan going in right direction.

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asad

Jul 16, 2012 06:20am

WHERE IS NAWAZ SHARIF LONG MARCH AGAINST NATO SUPPLY LINE? WHERE HE IS HIDING NOW?

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Noorani

Jul 16, 2012 06:38am

This Mr. Tusnami Khan if at all, he gets to the office of authority, he would have magic wands in both his hands and the land of the pure will start oozing milk and honey and there will be no corrupt person left on pakistani soil. Bravo Mr. Khan

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ysk

Jul 16, 2012 07:12am

IK is skeptical because of a reason. Zardari doesnt play a wrong card. It is widely expected that they will not let Fakhru G. work and apply enough pressure on him to resign and then appoint a new CEC hastily without consulting opposition. I think its a universal truth not to trust any of Zardari's move. Something Benazir did sadly.

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