ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan blasted the ruling PML-N on Tuesday for what he called fascist and undemocratic attitude of the Sharif brothers.

“One only hears them talk about democracy and democratic principles when they are in opposition, otherwise they are dictators to the core,” remarked Mr Khan at a press conference at his residence, following the killing of eight workers of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek in Lahore.

Recalling brutality meted out to Jamaal-i-Islami activists during the visit of Indian prime mime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in the late 90s, the PTI chief said this was not the first time that the Sharif brothers had used Punjab police to muzzle the voice of their political opponents.

“The PTI demands immediate resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Home Minister Rana Sanaullah and the Inspector General of Police for the loss of innocent lives in Lahore,” he said.

Mr Khan said the PML-N rulers had used Punjab police not only to subdue their opponents but also to secure victory in elections.

He said in the recent by-election in Hafizabad which the PTI candidate had won the district police registered 27 fake FIRs against his party workers.

“It’s part of official record now that how Nawaz Sharif as the chief minister of Punjab had recruited 25,000 people, including criminals, without any merit,” the PTI chief said while referring to a report submitted by a former inspector general of police to the Lahore High Court.

He said after the announcement about the launching of the military operation in North Waziristan was made by the army, it had now become clear that Nawaz Sharif lacked leadership qualities.

Mr Khan said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had failed to provide the leadership during talks with the Taliban, otherwise the decision to use force against militants would have been taken within three months after he took charge of the government.

He clarified that his party was not forming a grand alliance with other opposition parties but only pressing the government for electoral reforms in the country.

Mr Khan announced to hold a rally in Bahawalpur on June 27 against rigging in the 2013 elections.

“At the rally, the PTI will give a final deadline to the government to meet its demand of recounting of votes in four constituencies, otherwise, we will be forced to weigh up our other options and for that the rulers will be held responsible,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2014