QUETTA: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has said that corruption is the biggest issue of the country because it has weakened national institutions and destroyed the country’s economy.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) president Jam Kamal Khan Aiyani here on Sunday, Mr Khan said that the PTI, after winning elections, would not form government with those who had been involved in corruption and money laundering.

He said that all those parties and leaders who had rigged the elections in 2013 were now making propaganda that forthcoming elections would not be fair and free and they would be rigged.

He criticised PML-N leader Mian Shahbaz Sharif and said that he was the master of rigging.

“They [PML-N leaders] want to play the game by appointing their own umpires like Najam Sethi and Iftikhar Chaudhary who helped them win elections [in 2013],” Mr Khan said, adding that the PPP also did the same in Sindh in the previous elections.

Referring to water crisis across the country, the PTI chief said that his party would make a national water policy to find out the solution to water shortage the country was experiencing.

The four provinces, he said, would also be taken on board on this vital issue.

Grief and sorrow

Mr Aiyani said there was grief and sorrow in the people of Balochistan over the killing of over 130 people, including Nawabzada Siraj Raisani, in the Mastung attack.

He paid tribute to Siraj Raisani and said he had played a very positive role in the politics of Balochistan.

The BAP chief thanked Mr Khan for visiting Quetta and showing his sympathy with the grieved family, BAP workers and the people of Balochistan.

BAP’s general secretary Manzoor Kakar, Tahir Mehm­ood, Senator Naseebullah Bazai and other leaders were present in the press conference.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2018