Tehrik-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan addressing a public meeting. — Photo by PPI

LAHORE, Dec 8: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf chairman Imran Khan on Thursday alleged that the Sindh government was still refusing him permission to hold the rally on Dec 25 but his party was determined to go ahead with the pledge it had made to the public.

Speaking to newsmen at Lahore airport, he averred the Karachi rally was a national event as it was “designed to bring national unity and peace in the country especially in Karachi” and the party would hold it in the same spirit.

“The PTI is still pressing the reluctant Sindh government for permitting it to hold rally,” he said. Peace in the country, particularly Karachi, was essential for economic prosperity of Pakistan, he said while expressing hope that the government would budge.

As for the national political scene, he said the only solution was “creation of an independent election commission and holding transparent elections.” All bogus votes must be removed from the lists but it's possible only when the election commission was truly independent and worked without fear and favour, he said.

The current setup, he said, had failed because of incompetence and corruption. “Only a clean and sincere leadership can steer the country out of the mess,” he added.

Opinion

Editorial

Plugging the gap
06 May, 2024

Plugging the gap

IN Pakistan, bias begins at birth for the girl child as discriminatory norms, orthodox attitudes and poverty impede...
Terrains of dread
Updated 06 May, 2024

Terrains of dread

Restored faith in the police is unachievable without political commitment and interprovincial support.
Appointment rules
Updated 06 May, 2024

Appointment rules

If the judiciary had the power to self-regulate, it ought to have exercised it instead of involving the legislature.
Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....