PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan on Friday declared Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members a ‘security risk’ for the country over their business relations with Indians and alleged that they and other PML-N leaders were involved in corruption.

He also announced that the party would begin a countrywide campaign for the next general elections after Eidul Fitr to defeat the ruling PML-N and thus, forming the next governments in the centre and provinces.

The PTI chief made the statements during a daylong visit to Peshawar district, where he addressed public meetings in Mira Kachori and Haryana areas.

PTI chief announces start of campaign for next polls after Eidul Fitr

In Mira Kachori area, Imran Khan went to the house of Arbab Aamir Ayub, younger brother of former defence minister Arbab Zahir, and welcomed his entry to the party.

Union council nazims Liaquat Khan and Shaukat Khan also announced they had joined the PTI.

The PTI claimed that his party would win the next general elections with a heavy majority and that Pervez Khattak would make a comeback as a stronger chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said the conscious PML-N workers were upset by the party leaders’ corruption.

In Haryana, Mr Imran went to former PPP MNA Noor Alam Khan’s house, where the latter formally announced the joining of the PTI.

The former lawmaker gave the visitor a hunting gun.

Accompanied by CM Pervez Khattak, he later addressed a public meeting there and said the ‘go Nawaz go’ slogan had almost become a second national anthem and an outcry of the people, who wanted the ouster of the PML-N government.

The PTI chief said the party would launch campaign for the next general elections in the country after Eidul Fitr.

“The people are aware of the PML-N leaders’ tales of corruption and will vote the PTI to power with a heavy mandate,” he said.

Mr Imran said his party had delivered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and thus, winning the people’s confidence and that it would continue working for the people’s welfare.

He said the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had done away with political interference in its matters and thus, improving governance.

“Unlike the federal government, the PTI government is serving the people instead of only a few VVIPs. All government departments in the province are mainly focusing its attention on the socioeconomic development of the people,” he said.

The PTI chief said the system of governance was working transparently and with full autonomy.

“The people of KP are satisfied with our performance and therefore, they’re joining us (PTI) in large numbers. They are our asset,” he said.

Mr Imran said the PTI wanted to form a government in the centre, which turned the country into a social welfare one, where there is justice, peace and prosperity.

On the occasion, Mr Noor Alam claimed that Imran Khan would become the next prime minister to improve the country’s image internationally.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2017