66 ex-nazims, deputies join PTI: Imran promises to hold LG polls after coming to power

Published April 25, 2013
PTI chief Imran Khan addresses a large public meeting.—File Photo
PTI chief Imran Khan addresses a large public meeting.—File Photo

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has said Nawaz Sharif is a faint-hearted person making alliances with everybody to grab power.

The PTI did not enter into alliance with any party because it has forged an alliance with the people of Pakistan, Khan told a news conference here on Wednesday. Sixty-six former town and UC nazims and naib nazims announced joining the PTI.

Khan announced that the PTI would hold local elections within 90 days after coming into power.

After the 18th amendment, he said, the “Show-baz Sharif” kept Punjab’s funds at his discretion instead of spending in cities and villages. He said the PML-N in Punjab and the PPP in Sindh had taken five terms each during the last 27 years and failed to put Pakistan on the road to progress.

He said the two parties abolished Musharraf’s local government system instead of improving it.

During the last five years, he said, the PML-N was responsible for supporting the PPP and saving its government. He said the PML-N leadership was still having the luxury of 1,200 police guards and Asif Zardari’s kin also were getting undue protocol.

SHEIKHUPURA: The PTI chief, while speaking to a huge gathering at Company Bagh, once again challenged PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to hold debate with him on the issues of national importance. He hastened to add that Nawaz would never accept his challenge as he lacked the ability to solve the issues.

Continuing with his tirade against the PML-N, he blamed the Sharifs for loot and plunder of the national wealth. The PML-N, he said, was equally responsible for plunging the country into dark times.

He promised uniform education system for the children of the haves and have-nots. Loadshedding menace would be tackled on a priority, he said.

A large number of people brought to the venue by the candidates contesting national and provincial seats from far-flung areas had to wait for hours to listen to their leader who reached four hours late (around half past five). There were rumblings of discontent among the audience which braved scorching heat.

The new generation was the asset of the PTI and they would be provided employment without any discrimination, Khan told them. He also pledged better health facilities for the masses. He made similar promises at Shahkot.

Meanwhile, PML-N candidate Mian Javed Latif hit back at the PTI and accused Khan of “dancing to the tunes of agencies”. Deprived of ticket by the PTI, independent candidate Saeed Virk said Khan was not a man of words as he backed out of his promise of allowing him to contest.

KASUR: Pattoki Stadium was jam-packed to greet the “harbinger of change” (PTI). Khan reiterated that Nawaz and Zardari were befooling the masses. He said the two political parties had completed their turn and the politics of repression was going to end.

Khan said a “new Pakistan” would be created on May 11 as the PTI would sweep the election and rid the people of joblessness, hunger and loadshedding.

He said the Punjab government’s performance was no secret and it simply destroyed various institutions. He said the green passport would be a symbol of dignity in the world.

Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, Nadeem Haroon Khan, Muhammad Hussain Dogar, Muzaffar Shah Kazmi and Sardar Fakhar were among those present.

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