Imran Khan calls for judicial probe into Multan stampede
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MULTAN: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday called for a probe into the Multan tragedy to ascertain who had got the gates closed and who had got them locked.
Addressing a press conference in Multan, Imran said that all gates of Qasim Bagh stadium should have been opened at the end of the rally and demanded that a fair probe be conducted "by an unbiased judge' into the incident.
He said arrangements at the stadium were inadequate and people had also fallen unconscious due to lack of drinking water.
At least seven people were killed and several others were wounded on Friday when a stampede broke out at the venue of the PTI rally in Multan, when a large number of people had tried to use an exit gate in one go after PTI Chairman Imran Khan left the venue.
The PTI chairperson had blamed the Punjab government and the Multan administration for the tragedy while most officials of Multan police have held the party responsible.
Speaking to reporters today, Imran said he would personally manage the stage affairs at all venues of his party's upcoming rallies and added that matters would be settled with Sargodha's local administration for holding the next PTI rally in that city in order to avoid any untoward incident.
The PTI chairman also met with heirs of the stampede tragedy victims and announced a sum of Rs800,000 as compensation for each deceased.
Imran said he was sorry to see the state of the victims’ families and added that although PTI wanted to celebrate today, it had decided to mourn following the incident.
The party chief also congratulated Malala Yousafzai for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, saying she was a campaigner for education and education was a key element in PTI's manifesto.
He said change could not take place without people power and added that if he had to come into power through help from the establishment, that could have been done long ago. He further said that those who have come into power via the establishment's support have always had to work according to the establishment's will.
Members of PTI's Multan chapter had boycotted their party chairman's press conference. Ijaz Hussain Janjua, PTI's Multan district president, had said that the district level office-bearers of the party had not been summoned for the press conference.
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Comments (99) Closed
Oct 12, 2014 09:25pm
My hero
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Oct 12, 2014 09:35pm
Here u go IK starts the blame game again. No learning, no accountability, no retrospective to avoid this incident again. IK as usual shows how intellectually dishonest he is.
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Oct 12, 2014 09:35pm
IK pakistan's last hope on earth.
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Oct 12, 2014 09:38pm
@Raza
Hope, u are not worshipping him.
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Oct 12, 2014 09:39pm
@Raza
Then you are His heroin.:)
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Oct 12, 2014 09:39pm
Truly Evil League is shedding all layers of "democracy." This is turning into open war!
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Oct 12, 2014 09:39pm
A hypocrite!!
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Oct 12, 2014 09:40pm
He want power at every cost and want to become PM because people rejected him Elections 2013 and voted for PML-N. Cant we all see this is absolute power game and has nothing to do with revolution, people empowerment or naya Pak
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Oct 12, 2014 09:44pm
What is the difference between IK, TQ and other politicians - all lie and make fool to the public. Now IK says it is all govt. fault due to which this tragidy happened. Alright, but while the internal security and administration of the Jalsa was the responsibility of PTI - was it the duty of NS or SS to supply drinking water and fresh air to the participants? If so yes, then it is government's fault. Next time NS should personally be present in every Jalsa of IK and privide mineral water, sharbat and tea to IK's attendees. If IK comes late, people would be hungry and NS should also provide three course meal to every one. NS should also keep some oxigen slyenders with him in the case if there is deficency of fresh air, he can then open the nozels of these cylinders to make air fresh for IK and his followers. NS should also be ready in the case if IK falls from the stage, he should grab IK in the mid air so that IK should not be injured. Otherwise, if something happens, it will be NS fault.
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Oct 12, 2014 09:46pm
Is it ever Imran or PTIs fault for anything?
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Oct 12, 2014 09:46pm
IK, what are you trying to prove to organize such rallies? Election took place in 2013,and NS was winner , and a sitting PM. If you are still hoping for a help from back door, and then you have missed that chance too. Please go to KPK and do something about the drone attacks in KPK if you have any contacts with the royals of England.
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Oct 12, 2014 09:51pm
Why didn't Imran noted this before?
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Oct 12, 2014 09:56pm
I used to like Imran khan and thought he could bring real change and betterment for the people BUT now I just can't stand the fool.
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Oct 12, 2014 10:02pm
Both the Government and PTI should investigate the incident. Loss of lives in this manner is not acceptable. If the Government officials are found guilty, they should be tried in a court of law same with PTI officials. In Naya Pakistan, charity should begin from home.
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Oct 12, 2014 10:08pm
Continue your fight for Pakistan. Allah only tests it's toughest soldiers and you are certainly one of them. Thank you.
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Oct 12, 2014 10:16pm
Imran....this is right time to call it off. Just site the reason of stampede and call it off ....you wont get another chance. As of now....your dharna is not working. Calling it off ....gives you a respectable exit from this.
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Oct 12, 2014 10:29pm
@Raza
My ZERO!
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Oct 12, 2014 10:34pm
Only in Pakistan!!
You gather thousands of people to topple the goverment and expect goverment to arrange for water and other essentials.
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Oct 12, 2014 10:38pm
I stand with IK. Pakistan finally needs an honest leader.
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Oct 12, 2014 10:39pm
@Raza : My zero
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Oct 12, 2014 10:43pm
A little focus on crowd management will ensure the non occurrence of such accidents. Hope more and more people will come in the meetings in coming days. Security must be given utmost importance.
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Oct 12, 2014 10:46pm
First leader of a party who has reached the home of a worker/supporter to console his family.
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Oct 12, 2014 10:49pm
Ha Ha! There was no arrangement for drinking water for the participants of the rally so blame lies with the Govt. Great logic !
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Oct 12, 2014 10:56pm
But no matter who comprises the judicial commission, he will only accept the outcome if it is in line with what he wishes. There is no objectivity about the man and therefore he reflects adversely as a politician. There is nothing in him to deserve a position of any significance in the country. Cheap rhetoric ,false accusations against all all and sundry,repetitive meaningless promises etc do not produce leaders, they only produce Musharrafs and Miranda.
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Oct 12, 2014 10:57pm
Get a life. Please end your drama
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Oct 12, 2014 10:57pm
As if judges in this country have nothing else to do than follow the orders of Imran Khan and Tahir Qadri!
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Oct 12, 2014 11:06pm
So IK now follows Nawaz by calling for Judicial Commissions .... Typical Paki politicians ... never accept their role in any problem the country is facing
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Oct 12, 2014 11:12pm
Absolute disgrace. In self denial and can't even take responsibility after death of people. IK and PTI not even worth wasting news space and instead we all should be concentrating on other issues in Pk.
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Oct 12, 2014 11:14pm
Really sad...
What a great lost of innocent precious lives...
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Oct 12, 2014 11:15pm
Big hypocrite, where from he got this money.
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Oct 12, 2014 11:37pm
he's one of those guys where you could see on his face that he felt bad , personally, for whatever happened, he felt naturally bad, not politically, and he's cool that way, u can't sense fakeness in him , you can't really sense politics in him, he's all right.
the fact that seven people died in a speech zone, means people god damn support him, that means alot of people came to the place, he;s nothing like the other feudal political parties is he? . nah.
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Oct 12, 2014 11:40pm
@Ayesha Very well-said; Agree 100%!
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Oct 12, 2014 11:44pm
Till last week PTI league seems against Malala, another U-turn
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Oct 12, 2014 11:49pm
@Winnerman who cares?! :S
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Oct 12, 2014 11:49pm
IK stop this blame game, acknowledge your mismanagement that resulted in loss of so many precious lives.
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Oct 12, 2014 11:50pm
There should be an internal investigation in PTI during which Imran should resign to ensure transparency. After all that is what he has asked from others. Time to show transparency in new Pakistan.
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Oct 12, 2014 11:56pm
@Syed oh!
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Oct 12, 2014 11:56pm
@Haaris . he was as always and he will be as always
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Oct 12, 2014 11:57pm
@Omar you think so.
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Oct 13, 2014 12:22am
From one side he has started civil disobedience movement and from other side he is looking forward for judiciary to probe. Is Judiciary is not part of govt.???
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Oct 13, 2014 12:23am
@Ayesha not that i prefer IK among the others corrupt politicians we have but this typical brainless thinking of people like you are the biggest hindrance in any chance of progress we may achieve in future.
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Oct 13, 2014 12:26am
@Raza Tu mera hero :-*
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Oct 13, 2014 12:33am
@Ayesha all he trying to do breakdown the stranglehold of Shariff and Zardari khandaan. Insallah he will succeed as allah is with those who fear him. Our children will remember him as hero who changed the face of Pakistan politic- Remember Pakistan GDP growth in 95/96 mat 7-8% more than India. Zardari and Nawaz worth millions of rupees whereas today it is opposite - GDP ??? Khandaans worth billions of dollars not rupees
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Oct 13, 2014 12:34am
@Zia I agree there is no harm to acknowledge your own faults.
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Oct 13, 2014 12:34am
@Winnerman yah Ur hero must be Nawaz sharif
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Oct 13, 2014 12:37am
@Haaris thank you for giving voice to so many of us
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Oct 13, 2014 12:38am
Government and local officials must do some soul searching as they are responsible for the killing of innocent PTI supporters. I am fed up with the announcement of commission on every tragedy. This is the biggest joke with a nation who is asking for its rights and corrupt politician are giving lolly pops on every tragedy this nation has to go through.
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Oct 13, 2014 12:41am
@Ayesha
Wake up Bibi - Govt is having its last breaths
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Oct 13, 2014 12:43am
@Zia
He is asking for judicial inquiry. Please ask your N-league to arrange for a proper inquiry.
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Oct 13, 2014 12:55am
@Siddharth How many every year die in stampedes in India ..... do you call off gatherings???
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Oct 13, 2014 12:55am
The loss of life is tragic. I support IK but he should not be playing the blame card in this instance. Rather, he should be actively taking measures to make sure it never happens again. Can't really blame the police in this case either as dharnas control isnt really part of their job description, or something they've been trained to do.
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Oct 13, 2014 12:56am
IK must admit his mistake ........If mismanagement is happening in his jalsa every time than something is seriously wrong and IK must ensure that next time things are in place. PTI must learn from PAT and see how they arrange the jalsa in Faisalabad where the gathering was much larger and despite having 4 parties leader on stage the arrangements were so well made. Probably after so long we heard that no unfriendly incident was reported in a jalsa / rally and all credit goes to PAT.
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Oct 13, 2014 12:56am
IK must admit his mistake ........If mismanagement is happening in his jalsa every time than something is seriously wrong and IK must ensure that next time things are in place. PTI must learn from PAT and see how they arrange the jalsa in Faisalabad where the gathering was much larger and despite having 4 parties leader on stage the arrangements were so well made. Probably after so long we heard that no unfriendly incident was reported in a jalsa / rally and all credit goes to PAT.
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Oct 13, 2014 01:05am
Deaths resulted from an accident, such accidents even happen during Haj at Mina, no one want it to happen although.
We desis generally behave very disorganized in large crowds, there is no concept of line and waiting patiently for your turn, that tendency of the public is highlighted with this ugly incident and here is a lesson for everyone of us not just PTI and not just district administration.
Besides blaming all involved, Imran has learnt some lesson, read below:
"Speaking to reporters today, Imran said he would personally manage the stage affairs at all venues of his party's upcoming rallies and added that matters would be settled with Sargodha's local administration for holding the next PTI rally in that city in order to avoid any untoward incident."
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Oct 13, 2014 01:09am
Power hungry leader. There is no need of inquiry just look at the video while Imran is addressing the rally. 3 people died while he was speaking the same old things and he even didn't care about those live. It's mismanagement by PTI because there is no team. PTI is bunch of unorganized people.
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Oct 13, 2014 01:20am
After seeing the picture of the old father with imran khan and the grief on his face i dont think anyone of us should even be talking politics. Politics over that old man's loss, to me is inhumane. Please stop!
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Oct 13, 2014 01:24am
Of course he does not like to be blamed so please change the report.
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Oct 13, 2014 01:33am
IK's inadequacies and egoistic behavior is costing lives. He cannot manage a jalsa, how can he manage a country.
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Oct 13, 2014 01:33am
If PTI can not manage their public meetings then why should we believe that they are able to manage Pakistan.It is the resonsibility of the party holding the meeting to manage its affairs ,it is not fair to blame police for everything which goes wrong .It has become a fashion to blame administration & police even for our own mistakes.
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Oct 13, 2014 01:34am
Can PTI take ANY responsibility for the incident. How easy it is to blame everyone else. It is their jalsa, THEY are responsible!
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Oct 13, 2014 01:50am
What if inquiry reveals that PTI is responsible? Will he accept such conclusion?
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Oct 13, 2014 01:54am
Khan,please accept that it was your party disorganization.It will built your image.We all can make mistakes.You set an example by accepting it.
The reason ,I am saying it is because you are building new Pakistan.So please start with your JALSAS.Organize your JALSAS so good that everybody should say that ,This is the future of Pakistan under IMRAN KHAN.
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Oct 13, 2014 01:54am
@Azam Khan Yeah right. He did not have shame to attend the funeral. Also Shahbaz and Nawaz Sharif visit homes of victims very frequently, Google and you will find relevant news feeds.
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Oct 13, 2014 01:56am
Imran is always right......NOT!
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Oct 13, 2014 01:56am
What enquiry! video potage clearly showed that people complaining to shah mehmood about emergency situation, stage is announcing that people are unconscious, and he is saying SUB KHAIR HAY ( ALL IS OKAY), and 3 people were already died in this khair.
I think assembling people on the name of change and bringing change are two different things. If IK has ability he should show change in PKP and wait next 4 years.
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Oct 13, 2014 02:01am
@MMM ............ actually this happens in every civilized world .. but of course we dont want that ...........
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Oct 13, 2014 02:02am
Kabhi to maan ja yaar!
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Oct 13, 2014 02:05am
to those who think imran khan didn't do anything to his Multan chapter ... they should read the last line .. the multan chapter is being sidelined and with a possibility that they would be taken to justice .. but what has PML N Did ...asked the DCO to start an inquiry that SAME DCO who was accused ... and what a great guy he is ... submitting the report in less then 48 hours ... Model town incident took months to publish a report and still no action is been taken (which clearly shows CM Punjab as a culprit) and in Model town it was a murder however in Multan it was a tragedy and negligence .......
yes everything is not 100% with IK too ... i know but i have to chose between the available options .. and btw the likes of Zardari NS and IK .. i think i have chosen wisely !!!!
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Oct 13, 2014 02:11am
@MA ......well in that case wait for a farishta to come down from heaven and become your leader!
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Oct 13, 2014 02:32am
Stop the blame game. it was a mismanagement which is a normal thing in Pakistan. All these dharnas are unnecessary if ECP has acted on time, still they can open the four constituencies and let people know if there was rigging or not. When SC, Parliament, Army, administration and the opposition are on one side there is nothing that Imran Khan or TAQ can do.
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Oct 13, 2014 02:34am
So he has suddenly become a fan of judiciary. That's a real change.
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Oct 13, 2014 02:39am
@kalim. Judiciary is not part of the government. It's part of the state.
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Oct 13, 2014 02:48am
I am in a profession where I have to do frequent investigations, not in Pakistan. This Multan incident where 7 people died in stampede was clearly intended and it was instigated.
1. Why half of the exiting gates were locked.
2. why the lights were turned off at the end when people were leaving.
3. why fire trucks were used to spray water on people who were trying to get out in dark.
I am surprise only seven people died in such a volatile situation with such a big crowed.
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Oct 13, 2014 02:48am
As much as I don't like Imran Khan, it is the responsibility of the govt. to provide a safe venue along with security and any such amenities needed to conduct a gathering.
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Oct 13, 2014 02:59am
IK's decision to personally manage the stage from now on makes one think if he can't rely on his team for THAT, how will he run the country with them?
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Oct 13, 2014 03:57am
@Haaris it takes one to know one.
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Oct 13, 2014 03:58am
People Listen - He is the leader of the Nation. He announced Rs 800,000 for each victim and this money is NOT from Public Fund.
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Oct 13, 2014 04:08am
@Ayesha If people voted for PMNL why don't the audit results support that. Get real and perspective. PMNL has been in power of Punjab for 20 plus years and it has regressed backwards. Time for change.
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Oct 13, 2014 04:17am
@MA
I have a better suggestion, NS and Zardari should just get lost from our lives. Let them keep all the stolen wealth but just disappear.
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Oct 13, 2014 04:33am
PTI / Imran should publish adresses and telephone numbers to the families of those who died so we from abroad could send our donations to help those who have lost their bread earners.
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Oct 13, 2014 05:17am
Imran Khan blows hot and cold. Now he is asking for judicial probe into Multan stampede. How can he forget that it is the same judiciary that conducted the supposedly rigged elections just one year ago against which he is out on the streets for the last two months? Barring retirement of a few judges 99% of the judges are the same. This time the judiciary should decline it and get involved only when the findings of the inquiry are challenged in the court. There is a saying in Urdu, ‘Koylon ki dal-lali mein munh kala’ – if you deal in coal you’ll have a black face. The last elections have proved it. The judiciary should not get involved in the day to day running of the country and let the executive and legislature do their job. The anarchists always try to involve other institutions to beat the system. The slogans for naya Pakistan or inquilab are just the facade to jump the queue instead of waiting for four years for their turn.
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Oct 13, 2014 05:47am
Very obviously the tragedy happened when a large number of people tried to come out of the stadium through the one or two gates that were open for exiting. Simply investigate who had kept the other gates closed / locked and you will be closer to apportioning the responsibility for this very sad incident. No need for either side to play politics.
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Oct 13, 2014 06:06am
Imran Khan is getting same security and protocols which PM Nawaz receive. So imagine when Mr Khan will become PM. For everything he will blame others.
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Oct 13, 2014 06:06am
For this tragedy, PTI should be held responsible. This was PTI gathering and it was their responsibility to manage the gathering in orderly manner and to take all the precautionary measure to avert such incidences. But PTI is not good at that. Remember the meeting where the Chairman of the party Imran Khan was lifted to the stage on the fork lift and was hospitalised, this was totally insane. Imagine these people getting the affairs of the country in their hand, it would be disastrous for the country. If PTI can not manage the gathering of 25,000 plus people , how will they manage a country of 180 million.
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Oct 13, 2014 06:17am
Rashid,
Is PTI a political party or are they stadium operators specializing in control exit strategy.
Lights, traffic are gov't duties not a political parties.
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Oct 13, 2014 06:25am
Indian and Pakistani polices and leaders are completely ignorant of the need to have 'crowd control' manpower / mechanism/barriers in place before the crowds assemble.
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Oct 13, 2014 06:26am
@Shakeel Ahmad Khan Where would the government find the money to provide support to all the demonstrations and sit ins that he is organizing? If he wants to keep on with his campaign, he should provide the necessary support by asking the people who attend these events for financial support. I am sure they would have no problem supporting if they really believe in his cause.
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Oct 13, 2014 06:45am
IK should join hands with Malala both are hope for the country he should do this first as Bilawal wants political traction by joining hands with her as well. IK and Malala will win elections together and IK can given Malala on the Job training for becoming the PM after he retires but he better hurry before Biawal gets her into the Bhutto fold we don't want more Bhuttoism but welcome with open arms the new era of Imranism and Milalaism.
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Oct 13, 2014 08:38am
What a nation we are. Not a single comment has been by neutral. Ik press conference was all abt asking for neutral enquiry. Those are Arguing abt 2013 elections, they were rigged. Please see NA125 tribunal report.
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Oct 13, 2014 08:54am
IK stop playing with lives of the poor...just to show your "popularity"...
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Oct 13, 2014 09:02am
People died because of your negligence and your security team did not follow the proper protocol. Now why the governemnt waste its resources for a Judaical probe?
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Oct 13, 2014 10:24am
I do not understand why rush to get out of the rally if each and every one went in to attend willingly. All killed and injured are men, it shows that women present there were more patient and tolerant.
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Oct 13, 2014 11:25am
@Rashid
People used to say same thing about Quaid-eAzam when he had struggled for Pakistan. The comments like your infact boost the spirit of struggle for IK like true leaders.
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Oct 13, 2014 02:25pm
Although I am a PTI Supporter - but what is wrong needs to be condemned; a sad episode at Multan was a part of negligence on the party's end for which they need to take the ownership and accept their fault with grace - further the PTI chief should not have returned back to Islamabad Dharna after hearing about this sorryful incidence but should have stayed at Multan to show his concern and support for the lost lives-bad show all together and left a poor message!
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Oct 13, 2014 02:37pm
@Noor name one !!
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Oct 13, 2014 06:21pm
Let's see. Khan calls and organizes a rally with inadequate provision for attendee safety and the resulting deaths are someone else's fault. Indeed he is well qualified to be a Pakistani Prime Minister.
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Oct 13, 2014 06:39pm
@Azam Khan Who doesnt claim responsibility for his own mismanaged rally..Imran Khan a true hypocrite.
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Oct 13, 2014 06:48pm
@Riaz PTI cannot manage a statement about their meeting with adri, PTI cannot manaage a jalsa or dharna, PTI cannot manage KPK, what will they mismanage next....
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Oct 15, 2014 06:57am
@ali that's the problem he's sincere and honest one day he will become PM the people will put him there with Imran khan you see what you get and people pick that up many thousands more will die so that their next generation can be freed from bondage and slavery of the corrupt system and those who run it and Imran khan is capable of breaking it down that's something worth dying for.
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