E-Paper | October 11, 2026

'Naya Pakistan', old rhetoric: Tsunami to advance to Mianwali, Multan

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LAHORE: The crowd was large, the atmosphere was charged, but the PTI tsunami in Lahore brought almost nothing new to the protest table.

Reiterating points that have been raised many times over the last 45 days, PTI leaders and Chairman Imran Khan delivered speeches on Sunday that meandered from personal narratives to catchy anti-government slogans, but offered little in the way of substance or strategy, beyond the announcement that yet more protests would be held – this time in Mianwali and Multan.

Awami Muslim League President Sheikh Rasheed and PTI's Shah Mehmood Qureshi took potshots at the government and Nawaz Sharif, working the crowd for the moment thousands of the PTI faithful had been waiting for: Imran Khan's "very important" speech, which turned out to be a rehash of rhetoric shared atop the red zone container over the past few weeks.

Khan told his slogan-chanting supporters that the party’s anti-government protests would continue until Nawaz Sharif resigned. He further said that Sharif should resign till a probe into election rigging charges were completed. He added that he would apologise if his rigging allegations were proven wrong.

The PTI chairman said that a case had been initiated against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for lying on the floor of parliament. Khan claimed that this was not the first time Nawaz had lied and added that he (Sharif) had previously lied about an agreement with former president General Pervez Musharraf but the deal had later been exposed by a Saudi prince.

He also said that according to the Election Commission of Pakistan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) computers were shut down after the victory speech of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as alleged by Khan on May 11.

Imran also alleged that Returning Officers had issued hand-written poll results without actual counting. He claimed the Returning Officers had been under the control of former chief justice of Pakistan Justice (r) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as part of the rigging effort.

Khan further said that the ECP had not issued form XIV on its website, and a failure to do so suggested the election commission was involved in poll-rigging along with Nawaz Sharif and Iftikhar Chaudhry.

Khan announced that the party’s next rally would be held in Mianwali on Thursday, followed by Multan.

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yasir
Sep 28, 2014 09:58pm
If proven wrong I will apologize. Is it that simple?
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Babar Khan
Sep 28, 2014 10:00pm
After Naya KPK Khan is moving for Naya Punjab and Yaya Pakistan is also on the cards. So what will do with old Pakistan , old Punjab and old KPK?
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Key Points
Sep 28, 2014 10:02pm
Lahori rejected the 'New Pakistan' . Public was not even 30% of the last time meeting so where are all the 70% have gone. Seems they are not convinced with Dharna strategy.
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A concerned pakistani
Sep 28, 2014 10:03pm
Isn't it better that IK tries to win hearts and minds of people through hard work in KPK instead of putting time and money in agitation?
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akhtR
Sep 28, 2014 10:04pm
Tayeen tayeen fish
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Harmony
Sep 28, 2014 10:04pm
Good show lot of dance music and same old speeches. The new thing was new location. New story with new promises. Nawaz and Imran have been rejected by masses.
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Ahmed USA
Sep 28, 2014 10:05pm
Khan...my dear you are not making sense to a lot of people...and people are tired of empty rhetoric...
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Vikas Rehman
Sep 28, 2014 10:05pm
Great gathering, one of the biggest Pakistan has ever seen, and that too at such short notice. It's heartening to see so many Pakistanis wanting a change in status quo.
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Asghar Khatak
Sep 28, 2014 10:07pm
'Tol kher dey' . PTI is making Punjab happy and here lot of IDPs have been killed today so for KPK chief minister 'Tol kher dey'
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Qasim
Sep 28, 2014 10:09pm
Today's rate was 500 per person, transport free, music free, flags free. only condition was to listen to the same story of Imran Khan. Spent 100 million and result is nothing. PTI zindabad.
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Shahzad
Sep 28, 2014 10:11pm
I enjoyed the music , lot of people there . Sheikh Rasheed is funny.
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Amna
Sep 28, 2014 10:11pm
I think it was not about what he says rather how many can he attract .... and I think the number of people was significant!!
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Omar
Sep 28, 2014 10:13pm
This is absurd. I see absolutely no difference between editorials and reports on Dawn. They both consist of the writers subjective analysis. Take a leaf from BBC's style of writing; paint a picture of the event that unfolded in your reports and have a small section on the side that has the author's personal analysis so that they can tell anyone who wants to listen to them things like the Dharna ' offered little in the way of substance or strategy' as opposed to the estimated turnout, the energies in the crowd, the highlights of the speech, etc
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Ganga Din
Sep 28, 2014 10:14pm
What "old rhetoric"? He is our only hope. Even someone like me can understand this.
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Jameel
Sep 28, 2014 10:17pm
The longer PM takes to resign the better for pti!
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shahzeb
Sep 28, 2014 10:19pm
Please stop being biased...he did not allege that the ROs hand wrote the results..he is restating facts already reported by your newspaper that the form 14 have not been submitted and several results have been had written and submitted with RO s also making typo errors and thus altering results..the rigging of the elections is a fact that we can not just wish away...
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saghir
Sep 28, 2014 10:21pm
Your news articles should be facts not personal opinion.
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AH
Sep 28, 2014 10:22pm
The media seems to be content with the status quo and that is why IK and PTI have been criticized for what they are trying to achieve. Is it not in everyone's interest to streamline the electoral system so that those who were actually voted for come to the parliament? Publishing these meaningless report will not help the future of Pakistan. Media needs to put pressure on the political elite so that their VIP culture and the I-am-born-to-rule attitude is put to rest. This is in the best interest of Pakistan.
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Khalid
Sep 28, 2014 10:23pm
Tsunami has become now 'Nakaami'
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Cupid
Sep 28, 2014 10:23pm
Looks like IK has started election compaign 4 years earlier. Don't worry PTI , pml(n) is in power for the last time like PPP. Next turn is yours. Btw, give the credit to local gov. They let the people come and allowed the grand jalso to be held. Come on, give the devil the due credit.
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salman
Sep 28, 2014 10:23pm
There is no need for a new message, the old issue of rigging has to be resolved first. Keep at it Imran!
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Ramzan
Sep 28, 2014 10:24pm
What was he supposed to say? Imran stuck to his message. Lahore turned out in unprecedented numbers. And I'm supposed to believe Imran couldn't even win his own seat in Lahore?! Time for Pakistani media to wake up. Imran has unleashed something extraordinary here!
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tunta
Sep 28, 2014 10:25pm
I think people need the Pakistan which Quaede azam made. They don't need Naya Pakistan with 5000 people at Lahore people think they can make new pakistan
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Kashif Serkha
Sep 28, 2014 10:25pm
I congratulate great Imran Khan with attendance of thousands and thousands. Each is representing atleast 10 of family and friends. So figure be considered over 1 million. They are all for new Pakistan and end to family kingdom of Nawaz to end the era of corruption. Imran is only hope to get rid of looters and power hungary family. If Nawaz has little shame before the people of Pakistan then he should resign now before happening of any civill war. He must know what happened to Gaddafi and his family and others in same category.
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normskyy
Sep 28, 2014 10:26pm
I'm sitting in a park in the united kingdom. I can hear kids playing shouting 'Go Nawaz Go'... What a useless article. People are waking up, that's the point of his rallies!
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syed wasim haider
Sep 28, 2014 10:27pm
IK is getting momentum every next day. It will be better for PMN-L to discontinue this process thru sincere negotiations otherwise they will loose their popularity.
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Kiwi
Sep 28, 2014 10:28pm
@Jameel right! By that time it would be 4 years and every one knows pml(n) is playing its last innings like PPP . Finally IK has understood the reality.
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Ganga Din
Sep 28, 2014 10:30pm
Don't say anything about his charity, he 's the future BM of Pakistan.
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Intelligent
Sep 28, 2014 10:31pm
Arey yaar yeh fir shuru ho gaya..
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Jawad
Sep 28, 2014 10:37pm
@Key Points On your dreams.
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Ganga Din
Sep 28, 2014 10:38pm
@Harmony - Its all new...we will have new Pakistan and I am your new clone now. hahahaha...I am Ganga Din as Harmony.
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Hina
Sep 28, 2014 10:40pm
Such a waste of money. I feel sorry for KPK. Shame on you, IK!
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Jawad
Sep 28, 2014 10:42pm
@Jameel Agreed. PMLN and PPP thought otherwise. A little miscalculation on their part. To tell you the truth even IK probably didn't think this will turn into a national movement.
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ahmed K
Sep 28, 2014 10:43pm
Flop show, nothing achieved. Many parties can hold such jalsas.
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Real Truth
Sep 28, 2014 10:45pm
@normskyy OK, if you are living in the UK, try invading the Parliament there, and asking for Cameron's resignation :-)
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ailly
Sep 28, 2014 10:46pm
@Omar ............ indeed its absurd as far as our print media is concerned. on the contrary, BBC's style of writing ? or you mean good writing from some brainy people ?....... without going in details on your Picaso style portraying the happenings with pics etc whats your say on strength of media in Pak ?... and what exactly is your point ?
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sara
Sep 28, 2014 10:48pm
What can we expect from sheikh rasheed, shah mehmood and jehangir tareen. PTI can do nothing with these feudals in its rank. Plus next in line are chaudhry brothers.
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Khan, Canada
Sep 28, 2014 10:48pm
Congratulations to Lahoris for coming in such a large numbers. We saw it on SAMA TV which gave excellent coverage with Ariel cameras.
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samar
Sep 28, 2014 10:51pm
IK would only apologize if his allegations of rigging proven wrong what about the loss to economy and what about this election campaign that he is doing nonstop who is funding this there has to be a probe into this.
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Lucky Star
Sep 28, 2014 10:58pm
@Babar Khan Old Punjab, IK will give to India. He will give KPK to Afghanistan, and himself will go back to London with his children. Shame on IK, and his PTI leadership for misguiding poor sheep and wasting nations time and putting the integrity of Pakistan at risk.
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Javaria Anwar
Sep 28, 2014 10:58pm
If asking for Justice and your rights is a rhetoric then I love it and so does the majority of Pakistan
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yasir chaudhry
Sep 28, 2014 11:00pm
Dear Dawn, Imran Khan is not Nawaz Sharif. He reiterated his points because his problems are real, just like every other Pakistanis'. He has been betrayed by the system and denied justice just like every other Pakistani. What did you expect him to say, dear Dawn? Should he have announced laptops for all 18 year old in the jalsa? Maybe a power project in Nandipur where electricity would cost 35 RS per unit or a couple of new bridges that would have made Lahore the 'Paris' of Punjab? I apologize on Imran's behalf dear Dawn for he hasn't learnt the acrobatics required to rule Pakistan. .. for he doesn't really want to rule. .. He merely wants to lead this Nation.
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Dr. Sadaf
Sep 28, 2014 11:04pm
Of course it is old rhetoric bcs we have deep rooted old problems, we as a nation are fighting with these issues for the last many decades. Why do we want something new all the time. The way IK is being criticized I have not seen so much criticism against the government, maybe people are now used to the idea of living with status quo no matter how educated they are. We all know what he is saying is true but to make criticism just for the sake of it does not make any sense.
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Real Truth
Sep 28, 2014 11:05pm
@syed wasim haider Well, did IK himself not admit that PML(N) had agreed to accept 5 out of his 6 demands, the 6th demand being NS' resignation. And did IK not from other side of his mouth keep repeating that he would NOT abandon dharna without NS' resignation -- go, figure who is serious, and who is not!!! Fact is, as Javed Hashmi revealed, PTI NEVER was serious about negotiations, hence ridiculous demands! IK, I believe is suffering from some old age disorder, and as is acting like a stubborn kid who will NOT stop crying until his demand of getting an airplane is met :-)
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Ali
Sep 28, 2014 11:06pm
OK. Now I need the "NEW" comments from Yesterday's speech of AltafHussain and Any new policy statements from Bilawal Bhutto apart from their speeches and slogans of "Muhajir Sooba" and "marsoon marsoon sindh na desoon".Do ypu have the policy statemnets from Altaf bhai or bilawal?
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Lucky Star
Sep 28, 2014 11:06pm
@Vikas Rehman Transferring the power PTI full of Khans, choudaries, and Jagirdars will not change anything. These Khans, choudaries, and Jagirdars are themselves are status quo.
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Lucky Star
Sep 28, 2014 11:08pm
@Ganga Din Really, you are a good follower, and that what IK needs people like you with innocent minds.
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Lucky Star
Sep 28, 2014 11:10pm
@Kashif Serkha Pakistan consists of 180 million people!
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zain
Sep 28, 2014 11:12pm
Nothing new, same old mantra by IK.
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Last Moon
Sep 28, 2014 11:13pm
You call 'naya Pakistan, a rhetoric. PTI supporters say its a slogan that has touched hearts of the people. Imran Khan deserves the credit to bring change in the thinking of the people of Pakistan. I wonder why people turn up in such a large number if Imran is repeating the same speeches. Many more are glued to the TV screens when he speaks. I think people believe in him. Please appreciate this change.
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Atam Vetta
Sep 28, 2014 11:15pm
In a moment of misguided enthusiasm some time ago, I thought that IK will be Pakistan’s Modi. I regret he has turned out be Pakistan’s Kejriwal (Modi’s IK49). Like the latter after a mediocre success he began to dream of being the PM. Also like him he accused other politicians of corruption and like him he will spend a lot of time apologising for allegations that he cannot prove. Next time the consequences of withdrawing an apology will be severe. I do not think 300,000 people attended his Lahore rally. I have read reports of his speech and have also viewed Modi speech in the Madison Square Garden. The contrast in the vision of the two is seas apart. Indeed, I see no vision in IK’s speeches, only abuse. He is wise to start holding rallies in different towns as these are cheaper than bringing people to the D Chowk. I suspect that this new policy of rallies in different cities is the beginning of the end of a saga that has backfired on him.
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I. Ahmed
Sep 28, 2014 11:17pm
I am surprised that after 45 days the correspondent is looking for something new from PTI. The new will be Nawaz resigning and forced out, the new will kicking out the corrupts and incompetent, the new will be a Pakistan where the Zar or Zardari and Shar of Sharif is eliminated. Till that time, it will be the same old same old!
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Dasnish
Sep 28, 2014 11:23pm
Why does Imran Khan have to offer any strategy, when Bhuttos and Sharifs don't? I find it laughable that people criticize Imran Khan for not having a strategy, while Bhuttos and Sharifs are exempt from the same criticism. Why don't you ask them to offer a strategy? Sharifs would end load shedding they promised, without providing any strategy. Why were not a strategy demanded from them?
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Parvez
Sep 28, 2014 11:24pm
If anything Imran has put the fear of God into the old political establishment.......the PPP-Z's Bilawal tweeted to his workers askng to be forgiven for past mistakes and that he promised to improve in the future. If anything the PML-N camp is worried....putting on a brave face is not going to work, they will have to deliver. DAWN : I know this comment goes against your trend of backing the status quo....but it would be nice if you allowed something that shows an alternate view.
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Lucky Star
Sep 28, 2014 11:25pm
I have no problem with IK's rant, rhetoric, and campaign against the government, but this activity in no way should become NS government's reason not to carry out development work in Pakistan.
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Cheebz
Sep 28, 2014 11:28pm
What new rhetoric were you expecting?? He's taking his message to the city to gather more support... Besides companies market their product with same message over and over again to sell... Same thing happening here
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Ahmed
Sep 28, 2014 11:29pm
@Shahzad Sheikh Rasheed may be funny, but the damage he and Imran Khan and Qadri have done to Pakistan is not funny.
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Abdul Sater
Sep 28, 2014 11:31pm
I was impressed with crowd and true facts revealed today and earlier. These most corrupt practices by PM Nawaz and his team if not removed then whatever is left in Pakistan will not exist anymore after all that plunder of wealth by Nawaz and Family plus Zardari and his team. Just bear in mind what Nawaz and Shahbaz said about Zardari and his assocites when begging for votes and look how close Nawaz is going on with Zardari. I have not seen even brothers so much attached to each other. Is there any justification in accepting such liar PM and his partners sitting in Parliament with bogus votes. Imran is only hope and we all overseas Pakistanis have full faith in him. Those bogus MPs count crowd in few thousand, dont they know even in war not whole population fight but hardly 1% of the population that army but with blessing of whole nation. Same is the case with crowd attending for honest Imran Khan.
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independentthinker
Sep 28, 2014 11:37pm
Can Imran Khan find something else to do, to keep himself entertained? His obsession with "protests" or "hartal" - is costing a lot of money in lost productivity and has in fact, cost some lives. It does not matter how much he believes in his cause - if at the end of the day, he can't make any difference, why bother? Our police need to focus their attention to more important matters, our independent business owners need to keep their businesses running to generate revenue, our children need to be going to school. If Imran Khan really cares about the people of Pakistan, he should put their interest first. He is not helping by dragging them into these useless protests!
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Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
Sep 28, 2014 11:38pm
What next 4 PM Nawaz after Imran's Lahore jalsa? Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
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Abdul Sater
Sep 28, 2014 11:42pm
@Real Truth I live in UK for the last 50 years. David Cameron will resign if not 5000 but only 5 stand in front of 10 Downing Street with accusations for killing and looting the wealth of the nation. He would resign then and there.. You dont seem have knowledge about resignations of of ministers in the past not for looting billions of dollars but just spending few hundred dollars for personal use from tax payers account. Dont encourage looter Think of honesty and remember you are answerable to ALLAH. By getting any benefit for such comment will harm your position here and there.
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Mehreen
Sep 28, 2014 11:45pm
A lot of people on this forum have issues with the lack of anything new in IK's speeches. He doesnt have to say anything new....the people of Pakistan are! From Rehman Malik being kicked off a plane to an ordinary middle aged lady standing up to Hamza Sharif and students walking out, the people of Pakistan are saying it all. You can choose to ignore that....but you are already living in Naya Pakistan!
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Abdul Sater
Sep 28, 2014 11:45pm
@samar What about billions of dollars looted. Do you want whatever is remaining should also go to your favourite looters.
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Abdul Sater
Sep 28, 2014 11:48pm
@Khalid How much would you gain by telling something you know is not right in your heart. Corruption and killing by your favourite is not enough for you to give honest opinion. Shame on you.
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Abdul Rahman Khan
Sep 28, 2014 11:51pm
@Babar Khan Very simple. They all will go into the rubbish bin. The present Pakistan is nothing but exploitation of the poor. Poor is becoming poorer and and rich richer. Whatever may be the outcome of IK's present Dharnas and Public meetings, he has at least awakened the poor and middle class against the VIP's exploitative culture. The hitherto oppressed class will no longer allow it to be subjugated and oppressed by the elite class, though IK himself belongs to the elite class but he sounds honest and sincere to awaken the poor, just like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
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tunta
Sep 28, 2014 11:52pm
5 million people I am impressed. wow Naya Pakistan. Wow Imran Khan "Uth ja Beta subah hogayee kaam per bhee jana hey". Uff same old Pakistan.
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polaroid_paranoid
Sep 28, 2014 11:55pm
wait, so the PTI rhetoric is old after 45 days and the rhetoric of the PPP/PML-N and all their allies is still fresh after being repeated to death since the last 30 or so years? i've been hearing the same roti, bijli, kapra, democracy, makaan, economy stuff on repeat ever since i've been born.
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tunta
Sep 28, 2014 11:56pm
@normskyy wake up dream is over
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Shahid
Sep 28, 2014 11:58pm
I ALWAYS WONDER how come Imran Khan can't see that he is repeating the same speach, same examples, same quotes, same Hadiths in each and every speach he makes. How many times has he told the same story of the woman who left her handicapped child behind at home? how many times did he tell the story of Hzraat Umar and Ali? How many times will he tell the 4 traits he wants in his workers and how many times will he tell about A to Z the same and same again and again. He has charisma of a hero from past, a playboy look which is still percieved as it was once and add to it the perception of him being an honest person. These are the traits which are pulling the people but had it been to political talent, power of speach or decision making, he was sure to be the last one to be successful. I just wonder, why non of his close ones, core committee members are the anchors who support him guid him on the matter. Make him sit and let him listen to his speaches and ask him to find something which wasn't in other speaches. I am a die hard supporter of Imran too but I just cant take him repeating the same words every where. His speaches do disappoint people who spend hours and days to come and listen. PTI has a strong presence on social media but strange that there are no professional advisors to guid Imran on some burning issues.
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Asif
Sep 28, 2014 11:59pm
It is interesting that Pakhtoon leader Imran Khan is waking up Punjab while people are dying in Sibi and Hangu.
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Salma
Sep 29, 2014 12:03am
WHEN Khan repeats the speach at different venues, actually he forgets the people have already listen his earlier speach on media. When he tells the same story about a woman in Balochistan at his Dharna in Islamabad, then in Karachi and now in Lahore, he feels that it was a good example and it worked in the last speach so let me take it again as after all it is a new town but he forgets that TV and social media have already repeated it 10s of times.
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Tufail Rao
Sep 29, 2014 12:03am
If I organize birthday party of my son I can probably bring more people, the only condition is I should also have about 100 million rupees which was spent on Lahore Jalsa. Unfortunately I have less than 100000. Remaining money needed for PTI sponsors.
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Tufail Rao
Sep 29, 2014 12:06am
@I. Ahmed what about getting rid of Tareens, Mazari , Qureshi, Sheikh Rasheed and Imran Khan
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Riaz
Sep 29, 2014 12:09am
It was the biggest ever crowd in Lahore media reports are very clear even Khawaja Asif said it is the biggest jalsa.You guys please keep clean your tears.Dont
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Riaz
Sep 29, 2014 12:11am
Crowed was so huge please stop crying.
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Salma
Sep 29, 2014 12:14am
@Real Truth It won't have been neccessary as in Uk Cameron could never have rigged a single vote. But if the law of the jungle really started one day to prevail in UK too and Mr. Cameron started making billions of pounds of corrupt money, then I am sure each and every single citizen had done even more than PTI is doing in Pakistan.
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Anila
Sep 29, 2014 12:17am
IMRAN KHAN, For God sake find a new speach and new examples now. If it goes on like this then there is no need for you to come, we can just play a tape from your last speach.
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Shershah
Sep 29, 2014 12:18am
@Key Points meri jaan, I was there, this jalsa was the biggest one in lahore. Stop watching Geo and get tour facts right :)
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Mohammed A. Sukhera,USA
Sep 29, 2014 12:20am
@Abdul Sater. General statements of corruption are not enough ,you have to give specific example what he has done wrong. you can,t bring charges against some one by calling him a thief and liar. Please try to demonstrate in front of 10 Dowing street with five of your buddies and see how quickly you are led away by the police. NS government has been too lenient against the protestors and you can,t do this kind of protest in front of government buildings like Parliament House or PM residence in England.
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The concerned
Sep 29, 2014 12:27am
It is pity that a man as capable as Imran, has resorted to the Classical Negative Politics. Surely Qureshis, Tareens, Shaikhs and Mazaris have been implanted by the Status Quo and are taming IK very well.
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Dilectus
Sep 29, 2014 12:27am
There were about half a million people there today and about 90% were Lahoris there. And status quo supporters and promoters say IK is fast losing his support base!! If that is what happens after losing support then I hope he completely lose it. I must say it is better for media and status quo supporters to accept the reality at its earliest that mood of people is changing rapidly and any thing proving itself hindrance to that change would have to face serious consequences.
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irfan khan
Sep 29, 2014 12:28am
We know what is huge rally mean , 1 million people and 100000 bikes are equal to 5000 people and 300 bikes. We have experienced it when Qadri showed up with 20000 people and Imran Khan with 5000.
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Fahad
Sep 29, 2014 12:33am
@Babar Khan They already started destruction of old Pakistan
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Junaid
Sep 29, 2014 12:39am
What else IK critics want from him ? For the first time in our history people ( the gravity of democracy ) are raising their voices. Come on grow up and think positively.
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Danish
Sep 29, 2014 12:40am
Delivering more than 44 speeches in 42 days .. well done Imran even leader like Bhutto could not have done so...
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Saima
Sep 29, 2014 12:42am
Good jalsa, well organized. However, this does not prove that PTI has the votes. If we translate the size of a jalsa into electoral votes, then MQM would be Pakistan's largest party, but even MQM only has 25 seats in National Assembly. The truth is, parties like PML N and PPP have a massive vote bank in rural areas, and that market will be almost impossible to penetrate.
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Abbas
Sep 29, 2014 12:43am
OK Jalsa in Lahore has been done in fews days in Mianwali and Multan then what will happen?
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Shaz
Sep 29, 2014 12:43am
@Key Points I think you were looking at the crowd through the wrong end of the telescope, . Even the PML(N) leaders did not repeat the same old lie today. It seems they forgot to tell you to change your standard tune.
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babut Irfani
Sep 29, 2014 12:46am
The story is not the speech. The story is that people know exactly what the show of force is supposed to portray and they are showing up to say we support your stand. The crowds in Karachi and now in Lahore show that his stance has big support. These gatherings make PTI stronger
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Pakistani
Sep 29, 2014 12:48am
"... but the PTI tsunami in Lahore brought almost nothing new to the protest table.. Reiterating points that have been raised many times over the last 45 days," Thank you for summarizing the problem right there. This indeed is the very problem. Even when you repeatedly point out the problem, the government refuses to do anything about it - be it being answerable about power hikes, or registering and taking action and delivering justice in the model Town and Islamabad police brutality incident, or that of solving the rigging issue. Which is why this retelling of these same points should continue on and on until they are solved. After all what is the point of bringing to light these points if no action is to be taken to solve them. Once or twice should indeed have been enough but this government has demonstrated beyond any doubt just how inept and shameless they are that despite being told about something for 45 days, they refuse to acknowledge it, let alone take actions to remedy it. They are still in that delusional state that they can keep on functioning like this - remaining oblivious of their responsibilities, ignoring the problems, and carry on doing business as usual. And that is to be expected because they don't think it is their responsibility to solve any of these problems at all. They are here to serve their own interest and this is what these 45 days have shown to the nation in abundance clarity. And as must be very obvious to the readers that they are so inept that even if they wanted to solve these issues, they can't out of sheer incapability. Not even when they are not involved in them and certainly not when they are themselves the target of perpetrators of these crimes.
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Jawad
Sep 29, 2014 12:55am
@Salma It needs to be repeated even more till each and every person in Pakistan hears it. Till the current set up collapses to give way to a better Pakistan. It needs to be repeated over and over again till it waken conscious of people like you. So on the day of Judgement you have no excuse --- that I didn't know---
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Atta
Sep 29, 2014 12:55am
I have seen lots of negative remarks here. Either these people are ignorant or they are unable to feel the change in the wind. I am personally not a member of PTI but it seems that people want a change in the system and are influenced by the charismatic personality of IK. Anyway, time will tell us soon.
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Maryam
Sep 29, 2014 01:06am
@Shahid Well MR Shahid I am his supporter too but I am neither pulled by his charisma nor by his past playboy look, Rather I am pulled by the gravity of those same words uttered by him! N I want to hear them again and again and again as you don't get to hear such simple and plain Truth nowadays, Political speeches and complicated strategies devised by the crook aka wise people are offered by everyone but plain and simple originality is seldom seen today!
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Tisme
Sep 29, 2014 01:07am
If proved wrong, Mr. Khan, you should by on the hook for the loss suffered by tax payers for dealing with your nonsense.
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Nessar
Sep 29, 2014 01:14am
@ahmed K ....oh really which one? ....surely you don't mean that rabble organised by the PMLN outside the UN which consisted of barely a dozen people!
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Nessar
Sep 29, 2014 01:15am
@Khalid ...not if you go by the numbers in Lahore today!
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Ajilala01@gmail.com
Sep 29, 2014 01:16am
@Babar Khan burry them off my dear it's as simple.
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Ajilala01@gmail.com
Sep 29, 2014 01:18am
@Ahmed USA are you from real USA or?
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Nessar
Sep 29, 2014 01:19am
@Real Truth ...yes but why ask for Cameron ' s resignation? He is not corrupt, incompetent, did not come to power via rigging and does have a brain in his head!
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Sam
Sep 29, 2014 01:26am
@Qasim do you have any evidence or reference to substantiate your claim or just "hawaee firing" ? If not then also tell us something about the total expenses of the lavish tour of our prime minister which exceed everything......
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Rakaposhi
Sep 29, 2014 02:03am
"LAHORE: The crowd was large, the atmosphere was charged, but the PTI tsunami in Lahore brought almost nothing new to the protest table" Such a biased opening and unfair coverage of the story. What new will he bring? Jalsa is all bringing out people from the comfort of their homes and that he did right?
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osman
Sep 29, 2014 02:06am
I personally would find something wrong if you change the content of the speech, everyday ?.
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Syed
Sep 29, 2014 02:09am
@Key Points - need an eye doctor.
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Qasim
Sep 29, 2014 02:15am
@Sam even a 5th grader can calculate all these expenses, building stage, chairs, transportation, flags DJ expense, electricity etc There are at least 100 different expenses we have organized meetings and we know this kind of a jalsa cost around 100 million.
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sid
Sep 29, 2014 02:16am
@Mohammed A. Sukhera,USA : Yes but in the UK, the members of parliament have integrity. Only recently, our PM revealed he was going to resign if Scotland voted for independence. Why? because he takes responsibility, something Pakistani leaders fail to do. If there was any sniff of election rigging in the UK, there would be an immediate (INDEPENDANT) enquiry after which there would be re-elections.
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Aik Pakistani
Sep 29, 2014 02:23am
@Vikas Rehman Change status quo... Sure. Have IK as our new tyrannical Egotistical ruler...No thank you
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Ahmed Ali
Sep 29, 2014 02:28am
@normskyy Kids are stupid. They just follow their parents stupidities unless they are taught to think for themselves.
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Ahmed Ali
Sep 29, 2014 02:30am
@Khan, Canada Agreed!. i wonder why they dont do that for the Islamabad Dharna (the arial shots I mean)
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Osman Din
Sep 29, 2014 02:54am
Good job Imran Khan!!
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Old Pakistani
Sep 29, 2014 03:02am
I am an old Pakistani. I need Islamic Republic of Pakistan. I am looking for a Pakistan where there are no Nawaz, Zardari, Imran Khan, Tareen, sheihk Rasheed. There should be educated people from middle and poor class and they should make Pakistan an Islamic country rather than a western democracy.
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pathanoo
Sep 29, 2014 03:25am
The directionless, meandering Sunami. It might turn on Imran and flush him away.
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Jawad
Sep 29, 2014 03:28am
What do people think , that IK is a story teller who should tell a new story every day??? He tells the truth. Over and over again and people like to listen -- over and over again--- That's what brings people out to listen to him. People don't come out to hear a different story. They just come out to support him and man do they come out. --- I'm not fond of a few people around him , but then the other leaders NS / SS / Zardari are themselves NOT trustworthy at all , forget about people around them. The longer NS stretches this thing out --- better for PTI ( politically ) things have gone way past the resignation now---- IK has won already --- although --- I see he's changes his demand. Little bit -- recently claiming that it's not about NS , it's about the system that NS represents ----
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Rehan
Sep 29, 2014 03:32am
@ahmed K for example...
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Kdspirited
Sep 29, 2014 03:44am
If there is one thing the last 67 years have taught us about out nation is that it takes a while for us to get it through our think skulls. That is why Nawaz sharifs and Bhutto/zardaris have had multiple terms in govt. therefore repetition is essential for our people. And as you can see by the comments section below there is still more persistent repetition required. The message is not quite clear
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malick.
Sep 29, 2014 04:32am
ik claims are true and right. nation jag uthhi hai. now nation is excited to for gharao, jlao and sacrificatin. bhutto was raised from one student no one can achieve any thing from peace rallies and crowds.
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sadaf
Sep 29, 2014 04:32am
@A concerned pakistani that he should sit quietly in the parliament or give worthless speeches for the electoral reform for rest of the 4 years and work only for KPK.
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Malik
Sep 29, 2014 04:39am
Imran you failed to bring change in KPK, I am resident of Peshawar and i witnessed no change, not even in infrastructure, local business in Qisa khawani bazar has been deteriorated since long, No new jobs has come for young educated people, no new sanitation system has been introduced, No new parks and ground for exercise, no new transport system, you failed to bring change in ideas of Peshawar resident, they still live in hopeless and uncertainty about future.I request to Punjab people to please demand of change in KPK from imran and then give them vote.Please test his record in Peshawar and then give him captaincy, otherwise this would be not fare with the innocent people of KPK.
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a khan
Sep 29, 2014 04:47am
@Ahmed USA, don't you see what people of Pakistan want. they want change and they see Imran khan is the only person who can and is able to bring change in the country, he has education and all the quality in a leader who can single handedly lead the country out of the mess. He has been very successful in uniting people from every corner of Pakistan. sir your comments does not make any sense to me.
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Raja
Sep 29, 2014 05:12am
Why doesn't do "Naya KP" first before he messes with "Naya Pakistan"?
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Mohammed Kiani
Sep 29, 2014 05:31am
Too many comments by PMLN and PPP trolls, so I will make just one reply. Parliament which should be sacred, makes laws that allow corruption to go unpunished (eg Zardari passed immunity law). MP's are mostly illiterate and did not know that in the UK and USA - immunity does not cover criminal activities, only political actions. Now people will take matters into their own hands and hunt down corrupt or criminal politician's without referring to the PTI or PAT and without referring to Imran or Dr qadri. As the instant apology letter from Bilawal to PPP workers shows, now everyone is worried by the people they cheated of money and of their vote. I promise its a make or break moment for Pakistan, after all who needs a failed state. I do salute Gen Raheel for keeping the army outside of politics. PMLN & PPP supporters should put personal greed and Nawaz handouts aside and serve the country. Loyalty to Nawaz or Zardari is no loyalty.
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Vikas Rehman
Sep 29, 2014 05:36am
@Aik Pakistani Fine with me. Keep saluting Nawaz and Zardari and wait for the day when your kids have to make a choice between Hamza and Shahbaz. In the meantime, I can enjoy the Pakistani investments in places such as Surrey palace or park lane (because stamp duty must have been paid when these places were purchased and tax is & will be paid on any income being generated from these places). At the end of the day, life is about choices we make, and our tomorrow will reflect the choices we make today. So if you are happy with the status quo and want to wait for an angel from Allah to deliver you from your problems, I have no issues with it.
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Vikas Rehman
Sep 29, 2014 05:49am
@Pakistani Well said! The govt has not done a darn thing to address any of those issues. Sure they formed an election reform committee, but they couldn't find anyone better than ishaq dar - PM's relative and whose personal credit record is in doubt - to head it. When you get gems like '60% Pakistani voters come from a farming background and may lose their fingerprints and so we can't verify them', well what can you expect.
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Vikas Rehman
Sep 29, 2014 05:56am
@Qasim Please ask that 5th grader to do another calculation. How much does it cost to maintain a house and its surroundings spread over 3000 acres in tip top condition, and whether the the person doing so is paying sufficient taxes?
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Aamir
Sep 29, 2014 06:04am
I am amazed by the Dawn Editorial Staff's failure to appreciate the historical and tectonic shift in Pakistani Politics. What substantive new ideas do you expect Imran Khan to come up with? On that note what if any new ideas have been propounded by the Pakistan political haves in the last decade or so? Can you be so oblivious to the masses' desire to change the status quo or is there an inherent bias that prevents you from seeing the obvious. I grew up reading Dawn regularly but I think the Dawn editorial staff has been successful in alienating a large section of their previously loyal readers.
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Sher
Sep 29, 2014 06:10am
What new should DAWN expect if the points raised earlier are so important and which have not yet been addressed. Did DAWN expect that PTI would announce attacking the government offices to oust the old guards out??? That would be disastrous.
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Muneer
Sep 29, 2014 06:15am
If you are reporting this news item than report it as news. Your headline and the content is obviously biased, denigrating and an attempt at ridiculing the hopes of millions. I think Dawn should also come to an end with the new times. The status quo press must go out with the status quo system!!!
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Shahid
Sep 29, 2014 06:24am
People from all backgrounds, ages and religions gathered in large numbers at a historical monument of Pakistan. They were charged and showing their discontent against the current political setup in the political capital of Pakistan. And look what the leading English newspaper of country has to report......in fact it isn't a report its just whining, and more whining.
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imPakistam
Sep 29, 2014 06:38am
Babar Khan . Mr Zardari has already showed interest in selling old Pakistan if naya Pakistan is made. Does that clears your concern?
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MSAlvi
Sep 29, 2014 06:53am
I read the article and many of the comments of readers. I also watched the 'Jalsa' at Lahore and Karachi. I was very impressed with the sincerity of Imran. I am disappointed by this article and most of the comments. The problem is evident and every body knows it and complain about. There is corruption in the country, and elected representatives are no good. Politicians are looting the country. Isn't that true? Imran is trying to wake up the country for their rights. What is wrong about it? Why won't you support Imran?
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Tariq
Sep 29, 2014 07:00am
@Key Points R u blind of deaf , all the media and experts and even govt saying that it was a big big event, people were spread all over , yet u can not see the light , there was no place to be filled yet u do not speak truth
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Israr Khan Ismailzai
Sep 29, 2014 07:27am
No matter what you say, IK is on a mission and INSHALLAH he will succeed. The whole is with you IK.
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nukhan
Sep 29, 2014 07:43am
Imran's strategy is to create awareness among the masses against rigged mandate, corruption and poor governance. His short term focus is to take his regime to task.
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Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
Sep 29, 2014 07:50am
25,000 chairs or 75,000 chairs? Yesterday Sun at around 1600 hours Kuwait time and 1800 hours Pakistan time I watched GEO TV news and heard that there are 25,000 chairs in Imran jalsa and out of curiosity I switched over 2 ARY TV and heard that 75,000 chairs have been placed in the jalsa. Such like reporting is nothing but twisting facts and hiding the truth and should not be appreciated rather be condemned. GEO is on PM Nawaz side is not a secret but it does not mean that it should resort to such like negative journalism which is condemned and not appreciated. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
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rose
Sep 29, 2014 08:10am
One is slowly getting tiered of the them speech over and over again. The demonstration do is the same thing too. It looks more of a pick nick and concert than a serious change that is needed in the country. Actually Ik has realized the frustration of the youth of not having a place or outlet for dance and music. So he created it for them and it works. Do they really want that change and what kind of change is coming. Honesty I think that was a great thing to be mentioned. How ever when I look at who is standing on the container and who is giving speeches than I am not sure they have much of an example of that. To mention only tow is Sheik Rasheed and Qurashi. Lets move on we all need to change and Ik has a great chance to bulldoze the KP Governors house to start with.
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Azam
Sep 29, 2014 08:17am
The verdict has been given. First Karachi and now Lahore. Inshallah, the entire Pakistan belongs to PTI now. Imran-ism is a Junoon.
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Yasir Khan
Sep 29, 2014 08:34am
People will always complain. Pakistani people need to stand up and fight against corruption instead of saying this is an old rhetoric. PTI is gaining ground, simple as that.
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Q. Khatana
Sep 29, 2014 08:37am
What was Naya? The turn out! Bilawal apology to estranged workers was the immediate reaction. PMLN ministers are baffled and confused. Even Marvin Memon lost her ability to estimate the size of the crowd.
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lucky
Sep 29, 2014 08:43am
Shame shame imrane shame. You are waisting the time of Pakistan innocent people.
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Malik
Sep 29, 2014 08:51am
Dear Dawn, I've been proudly presenting you to my foreign friends as the most credible news source from Pakistan. Please remain neutral. Write facts not wishes and subjective analysis of some biased reporters. We don't want to read such biased reporting as this one here.Dawn is an asset for us, Pakistanis, we can't afford to lose it as there's no replacement available.
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Irfan Fatmi
Sep 29, 2014 08:55am
So you mean to say in every rally he has to come with a fresh new agenda. Grow up Dawn.
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bilal
Sep 29, 2014 08:56am
@Vikas Rehman well said sir!
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Nation Empowered
Sep 29, 2014 08:58am
@Key Points ....wake up please incase your brain is sleeping - need to open up your eyes......no good being in the fantasy world anymore; reality seems to be bitter but better accept it with grace....
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Rafi
Sep 29, 2014 09:02am
@Hina shame on you still looks to wards the old corrupt politician, you slave mind people wake up it’s the real time.
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Nation Empowered
Sep 29, 2014 09:03am
@Qasim Please note that the mazaras are not coming to these dharnas.......elite educated class that has the vision is part of this revolution - need to accept that this class cannot be misled with false accusations - need to understand; perhaps 500 per person would be the ongoing rate of your party gatherings - as is quite apparent during your jalsas and the "quality" of mass that attends your gatherings....
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S.Khan
Sep 29, 2014 09:04am
Imran's "finger" drama has failed, now people know very well what is behind these dharnas. KP people are waiting for PTI leadership to do something for them. Pakistani people are fed up from his unconstitutional and illogical demands.
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Usman
Sep 29, 2014 09:05am
The whole nation is behind this movement now. Its the nation who will wins eventually.
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bilal
Sep 29, 2014 09:07am
@tunta hey tunta.. why not work on your stuff at banglore or mumbai wherever you are, instead of reading up other countries news.. we know what we want. you worry about running your own place.. go on..
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MAK
Sep 29, 2014 09:08am
Is the agenda PTI has been hammering out not big enough there is plenty to work on its ridiculous to expect something new at every meeting, IK has put the truth to people now its their strength needed to force reforms, the old people will not quit easily
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bilal
Sep 29, 2014 09:08am
@Kashif Serkha Thank you.. very well said..
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Dija
Sep 29, 2014 09:19am
Mobilizing the specific class of people in Pakistan was a challenge! a class that has for years isolated themselves with the entire election process and remained indifferent ; this is the class that cannot be forced to participate in the election process on the basis of any personal/financial temptations - this class is rational well exposed and has intellect; they are educated, courageous and not emotional; certainly a challenge for the rest of the political parties who would lure the oppressed class with little financial gains and in return play with the fate of the nation for years through their votes.....little did they know that the actual decision makers, who constitutes the back bone of this nation; who have been sleeping for years and completely disassociated themselves with the entire election process would ever wake up........what has been achieved in beyond imagination!!!!!
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NINO
Sep 29, 2014 09:51am
@yasir chaudhry He merely wishes to become the PM without the ballot and now I am afraid he is in the process of digging his own political grave.Rashid, chaudries, TQ, etc.are helping him out accomplish that mission. Any one in right mind can not imagine that these clowns will change the face of the nation.
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NINO
Sep 29, 2014 09:53am
Let the process run
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Najamuddin
Sep 29, 2014 09:58am
Which Naya Pakistan he is talking about? The Old Pakistan was achieved after great sacrifices and after demonstrating politics of principles based on the core moral values of decency and civility even for the bitterest political opponents. During decades long Pakistan Movements all the founder members, workers and leaders together did not use even 1% of foul, uncivilized, obscene and abusive language against their political opponents nor did any of the Founder leader of Pakistan ever declared civil disobedience even against the foreign rulers as used by both the dharna with thousands and thousands of irrefutable video proofs? With all the charges of corruption, rigging and others against Nawaz Sharif some of which may even be true, but Nawaz Sharif all over his political career personally did not use against IK and TQ so abusive, vulgar, threatening and rebellion language even 10% of what both the dharna leaders and Champions of New Pakistan have used against Nawaz Sharif, only within the last 2 months?
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Ebad
Sep 29, 2014 10:10am
Really is an extraordinary feat to organize two of the biggest rallies seen in the history of Pakistan in a span of 8 days in two totally different parts of the country on notice of less than a week. Hats off! PTI and Imran Khan! More and more people are supporting your cause with every passing day, keep it up.
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Mustafa J.
Sep 29, 2014 11:19am
@yasir: Mr. Imran should have said "If rigging was not proved in a Court of Law in Pakistan, I will pay all costs and damages resulting from protest march, Dharna, death and injuries to people, beating of Police Men, damages to government properties and all damages to Pakistan as a result of over 30 days protests."
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Sheema
Sep 29, 2014 11:40am
@Nessar And what about the losses caused by PM's expensive visits every month or two?
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Junaid
Sep 29, 2014 01:10pm
@Asghar Khatak Read Artice 247 of the constitution. Yu will get yur answer.
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OneNationPakistan
Sep 29, 2014 02:00pm
@Qasim so if thats true i suppose its not a bad thing as people donate and impart a lot funds to pti. At least he is not traveling to different countries for highest possible LAVISH TOURS on tax revenue of poor people. Do have any rational for that tour, which a one grader can evaluate it to be a choking Rs 800,000 per day spending. http://arynews.tv/en/pm-nawaz-slammed-for-lavish-spending-on-foreign-trips/
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Mustafa J.
Sep 29, 2014 11:37pm
How Pakistan can become "Naya Pakistan" (New Pakistan) when we will still have same old gang, Imran Khan, Tahirul Qadri, Nawaz Sharif and their supporters? The Slogan of Naya Pakistan is just a Bluff to fool uneducated and Jahil people of Pakistan but those who are educated, will not be fooled.
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Vikas Rehman
Sep 30, 2014 03:47am
@Mustafa J. A large numbe of PTI & PAT supporters appear to be well educated, middle class people, who won't be fooled that easily. There are not many uneducated ones in this dharna, as they are busy trying to make ends meet in the old Pakistan, while losing their thumb impression because of the hard labour work they are doing.
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khalid
Sep 30, 2014 11:06pm
@Vikas Rehman whatever it is people will break the rules and will emerge victorious where my Pakistan I and you will be proud of,, and our coming generation will be in peace.,, thanks to Iman Khan,, awareness campaign,,,,
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Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
Oct 01, 2014 02:27am
Naya Pakistan may introduce Naya passport which may very kindly be issued to me I request Imran Khan facilitating me to visit my beloved Pakistan. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
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