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Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Monday announced that he would contest the 2018 general election from Karachi.
Khan, addressing a press conference in the city, lamented the poor state of affairs in Karachi, claiming that the city had been "abandoned" by political parties. The PTI chief said that the parties in power had failed to "own Karachi".
Last month, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry had hinted that Khan might contest the election from Karachi but a constituency had not yet been agreed on.
Khan said that the city was not just infested with garbage but also with corruption. "Karachi is seen as a cash cow by the people in power," he claimed, adding that infrastructure and institutions in Karachi had been "ruined".
"Mafias prevail in this city. The tanker mafia for example — citizens do not have access to water because of it... The Rangers have been posted in the city because [political parties have] ruined the police," he said.
The PTI chief promised his party would bring in a "directly elected mayor" who would solve Karachi's problems with his "team of experts".
He stressed the need to elect a mayor who has administrative powers and financial resources to deal with the challenges being faced by the city.
"Major cities like New York and London run smoothly because their mayors are strengthened," he said.
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Mar 05, 2018 02:20pm
Good luck Khan sb.
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Mar 05, 2018 02:23pm
We need a just leader as in Imran bhai and a just system and just people to run it
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Mar 05, 2018 02:23pm
I hope people of Karachi will free themselves from the shackles of PPP and MQM mafia and vote for their own future. They have voted the same people again and again, at least give someone new a chance and if they don't perform them throw them out. Vote with your conciseness, vote for your future and the next generation.
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Mar 05, 2018 02:24pm
This is a brave and bold decision, people of Karachi need to be freed from these feudal lords and mafia.
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Mar 05, 2018 02:33pm
By looking at the masses in Pakistan, I don't see any chance for you to implement western style democracy and accountability in Pakistan.
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Mar 05, 2018 03:03pm
Imran told these same ideas about Peshawar. He should run based on his performance there in Peshawar. That would be a true test of where he stands.
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Mar 05, 2018 03:08pm
Khan sab! For us, it will be good enough to see all these claims for Peshawar first. Same conditions are being faced in Peshawar.
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Mar 05, 2018 03:18pm
Welcome Ik. ...we love this
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Mar 05, 2018 03:36pm
Why not Imran khan, since we already have LEAs not from Locals now lets have imported Leader once again not from local. Local Leader of the community is unacceptable.
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Mar 05, 2018 04:07pm
What have you done for Karachi, Prince !
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Mar 05, 2018 04:35pm
Thank you Imran Khan for your good intentions for improving the lot of Karachi.
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Mar 05, 2018 04:45pm
What IK has done for Karachi between now and his last defeat in election in Karachi? Current situation does not warrant any other party to win except MQM in whatever form it appears in next elections.
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Mar 05, 2018 04:49pm
"Khan, addressing a press conference in the city, lamented the poor state of affairs in Karachi, claiming that the city had been "abandoned" by political parties." You are wrong Mr. Khan. Don't try to fool Karachites. Karachi is not abandoned by political parties but it has been snatched by conspiracies. You will loose again in Karachi in 2018. Rest assured.
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Mar 05, 2018 04:57pm
Funny man.
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Mar 05, 2018 05:07pm
Furthermore, PTI had golden opportunity to win a seat or support from voters in MQM stronghold. But it was wasted and campaign directly criticized voters and MQM. Good to see this is not the case now.
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Mar 05, 2018 05:12pm
Yes he will contest the election. Win and will never show up in the constitutionsy or parliament.
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Mar 05, 2018 05:31pm
Good luck. People should vote for PTI in Karachi for coming into mainstream politics.
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Mar 05, 2018 05:40pm
Karachi already has a mayor, Khan sahib. Mayors can't solve anything without mayoral powers; to get those you don't just have to beat the MQM in Karachi, you have to beat the PPP in Sindh. How about actually investing some of your time and effort in this city and province as well?
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Mar 05, 2018 06:01pm
Good Decision. There is a void that PTI can fill in Karachi.
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Mar 05, 2018 06:47pm
Mr.ik, please stand on your words and contest from only one constituency in Karachi.you will see how much you are popular in karachi, if you are brave enough, contest from Lahore even but only one constituency.
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Mar 05, 2018 07:01pm
Beg ur pardon IMRAN, have u ever lived in Karachi ? Did ur party do a teeny weeny work for the welfare of Karacites ?Not much chance , I say.
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Mar 05, 2018 08:12pm
Defeat is guaranteed.
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Mar 05, 2018 10:37pm
If you think you are great then stand from NA-245 and show yourself that you can win. If tou win this seat then you can win from any where in Karachi. I bet your candidate Arif Alvi wont be able to hold his seat.
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Mar 05, 2018 10:57pm
So Khan is back to Karachi when the elections are on the horizon.
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Mar 05, 2018 11:35pm
Na250
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Mar 06, 2018 04:44am
@asad
Mr. Imran Khan,
People and voters of Karachi have not forgotten that you and your Mohajir-PTI-members have always supported the brutal and criminal policeman Rao Anwar Khan when he was killing the innocent Mohajir-youth.
Till today there is no apology from you and your Mohajir-PTI-members. Overnight policeman Rao Anwar Khan became criminal because of the murder of Naqeebullah Mahsood.
Your and your Mohajir-PTI-members attitude towards Karachites is not appreciatable and performance is a BIG ZERO.
Mr. Imran Khan,
You and your Mohajir-PTI-members forget what you have said, what you have done. But the Karachites can not.
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Mar 06, 2018 12:32pm
@Osman Masood "Mayors can't solve anything without mayoral powers; to get those you don't just have to beat the MQM in Karachi, you have to beat the PPP in Sindh. " Or PMLN in Punjab, if not both. One cannot win in Punjab and Sindh at the same time. One cannot win in urban and rural Sindh at the same time either. You have to choose, that is the hardest part in politics: leave something for others willingly. Punjab will only vote someone who promises exclusivity, only PMLN can do that because they already have demonstrated their will. PPP will be the only option left for rural Sindh. From here, you can calculate the remaining.
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