Imran Khan demands CEC’s immediate resignation after Punjab by-polls

PTI Chairman Imran Khan Monday demanded   Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja’s speedy resignation following his social gathering’s win within the Punjab by-elections on July 17. 

Talking to the general public in a televised speech, the previous prime minister mentioned that his actions have been backed by “malintent” and on account of his  “incompetence”, 4 million individuals have been proven lifeless on voters’ lists.

“However aside from that, he wholeheartedly participated within the polling course of to make sure that PML-N wins,” the PTI chairman mentioned.

Khan added that the PTI had “lawful” eight circumstances, which the Election Fee of Pakistan (ECP), headed by Raja, rejected to listen to. He mentioned that the social gathering then went to the courts to hunt justice, the place it was served the identical.

“We don’t belief this election commissioner,” he maintained.

Khan mentioned that regardless of a number of circumstances of rigging throughout polls being introduced earlier than the CEC, he by no means discovered anybody responsible — and, in consequence, malpractice continued as nobody had feared accountability.

Referring to the PPP’s landslide victory within the first section of the native physique elections, Khan mentioned that on account of CEC’s favouritism, the social gathering’s victory was doable.

“He (Raja) is taking cash from two sources — the Sindh authorities and the election fee. His case is pending within the Supreme Court docket,” Khan mentioned.

“Even the election fee tried all techniques to make sure we lose. However we received regardless of that as individuals got here out to forged their votes like by no means earlier than.”

The PTI chairman mentioned that clear elections should not doable beneath the present election commissioner.

‘Blissful second’

Khan — whereas celebrating his social gathering’s victory — termed the scenario a “completely happy second”, and mentioned he believes that when a nation developed consciousness and begins understanding the imaginative and prescient of the nation “then it’s a second to thank Allah.”

In accordance with the preliminary ultimate depend from Sunday’s polls, the PTI received 15 seats, whereas the PML-N managed to clinch victory in solely 4, and an impartial candidate grabbed one.

“I wish to thank the youth and girls of Punjab, particularly those that got here out to forged the vote,” Khan mentioned whereas acknowledging the contributions of PTI supporters, employees, and leaders.

Commenting on his electioneering marketing campaign, Khan mentioned that all through his race, he centered on the basic precept that the that means of Pakistan was “La Ilaha Illallah (There isn’t a god however Allah)” as a result of this was a philosophy and as soon as individuals begin understanding this, they may even grasp the imaginative and prescient of Pakistan and turn into a “nice nation.”

“A bunch of individuals turn into a nation after they have a imaginative and prescient,” he reiterated, saying that he was completely happy as a result of individuals began questioning [the rulers] and have been decided that they might not settle for slavery after an “imported authorities” was imposed on all of us via a “international conspiracy”.

“I’m completely happy as a result of, for the primary time, I’m seeing consciousness amongst individuals and now — by the grace of Allah — we’re heading towards changing into a nation which can resolve all points, together with debt and lack of assets, amongst others,” Khan mentioned whereas highlighting that the elite within the nation had invested overseas and owned properties in international nations as a result of they haven’t any belief on Pakistan.

Recalling the sacrifices rendered by ancestors within the independence of the nation, the PTI chairman mentioned that everyone must be pleased with the individuals of Punjab, particularly ladies, who got here out to forged their votes, “that is Naya Pakistan.”

‘Govt used techniques to make sure PTI loses’

Regardless of a landslide victory towards PML-N within the by-election for 20 constituencies of Punjab, Khan accused the coalition authorities of utilizing “each tactic to make sure that we (PTI) lose the polls.”

 “All the authorities’s [machinery] was used towards us regardless of the Supreme Court docket’s order,” mentioned the ex-premier.

Casting aspersions on the way in which the federal government managed the Punjab by-polls, Khan mentioned that if the subsequent elections happen “in such a way, then political instability will exacerbate, not lower”.

The PTI chairman famous that the apex courtroom — in its July 1 order — had ordered the federal government to not use its equipment for “interference”, however the PML-N “violated” the order.

“They interfered in each approach; they registered FIRs, used police to harass our individuals, however on the similar time, I salute the police officers who didn’t pay heed to the federal government’s strain,” he mentioned.

Khan added that he “remembers” the title of each police officer who was concerned in harassing PTI employees “and behaving like the employees of PML-N”.

Khan to maneuver Supreme Court docket

The cricketer-turned-politician mentioned that when PTI was in energy an “synthetic political disaster was created”.

“For those who have a look at the Financial Survey for the fiscal 12 months 2021-22 you’ll see that after 17 years, Pakistan witnessed file progress within the final two years of the PTI authorities,” he highlighted, including that each one indicators have been exhibiting an uptrend, significantly large-scale manufacturing which gives employment alternatives and will increase tax assortment, and many others.

He went on to say that through the five-year authorities of PML-N, Pakistan didn’t see an increase in exports.

“They left large fiscal deficits throughout each their phrases. They got here to energy solely to get circumstances towards them quashed. They obtained payments handed from the meeting,” he mentioned referring to the NAB modification payments.

“However god keen, I’ll problem all this within the Supreme Court docket tomorrow (Tuesday),” the PTI chief vowed.

‘Economic system, political stability  are linked collectively’

Shedding gentle on the present financial scenario within the nation, he mentioned that it was an final result of the political disaster.

“Our reserves have shrunk by half since PML-N got here to energy. Regardless of the settlement with Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF) in sight, our rupee is declining,” he mentioned, taunting that now they [coalition government] blame worldwide disaster for powerful choices.

He highlighted that amid the crises, the one approach out was free and honest elections.

Within the coming days, Khan mentioned that if the related quarters don’t perceive that political instability had a drastic impression on the economic system, then he feared that issues will exit of hand.

“Economic system is linked to political stability […] and the one approach ahead is clear elections,” the PTI chairman mentioned.

‘Consciousness amongst nation’

The PTI chairman mentioned that in his political profession, which spans greater than 20 years, he has by no means seen such “consciousness” among the many Pakistani nation because it was witnessed through the by-elections.

Khan mentioned that he’ll always remember Could 25 — the day his social gathering marched to Islamabad — as the federal government “tortured” PTI employees and supporters.

“They didn’t really feel ashamed whereas tear gassing our supporters regardless of the presence of households there […] they haven’t any empathy for individuals,” he mentioned.

The PTI chairman mentioned that regardless of all efforts of the federal government, the general public took to the streets and, resultantly, Pakistan was “lastly heading in direction of changing into a nation”.

“If somebody thinks that the nation’s choices may be made behind closed doorways, then they’re improper.”

Khan mentioned that if anybody plans of stealing individuals’s mandate, their plans will fail, including that the one approach ahead for the nation was early elections.