- Says caretaker setup of people with impeccable credentials could only hold polls fairly
- Says there is absolutely no case that can disqualify me
LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Thursday made it clear that any delay in the elections would not be tolerated come what may, elaborating on that only a caretaker setup comprising well-reputed and able people could perform this important task in a befitting manner.
Talking to members of PTI Parliamentary Committee, who called on him at Zaman Park in Lahore on Thursday, the PTI Chairman said that PTI was nominating personalities of best reputation, ability and impeccable credentials.
نگران وزیراعلیٰ کی نامزدگی کے حوالے سے تحریک انصاف کی پارلیمانی کمیٹی کے اراکین کی چیئرمین عمران خان سے خصوصی ملاقات
پنجاب میں نگران وزیراعلیٰ کی نامزدگی کے حوالے سے اہم امور پر تفصیلی مشاورت pic.twitter.com/Nhx56egYDd
— PTI (@PTIofficial) January 19, 2023
PTI Central Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry was also present in the meeting.
During the meeting, the PTI Chairman vowed that the jeopardizing the transparency of the elections would be tantamount to enmity with the country.
In the meeting, they held detailed consultation on important issues regarding nomination of Caretaker Chief Minister in Punjab.
They also discussed names of Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera, former Punjab Chief Secretary Naveed Cheema and Naseer Khan for caretaker chief minister in detail.
It was said that after the final consultation, Chairman PTI would send two names to the parliamentary committee.
The PTI chairman said that the country cannot afford any delay in the elections, adding that holding free, fair and transparent elections was the most serious matter and only the caretaker government with the best reputation and capacity could perform this responsibility in the best possible manner.
Imran Khan said that PTI was nominating people of best repute for the important position. He said that it would be foolishness to allow the group afraid to face the public to do more wrongs.
He said that the constitutional requirement to establish caretaker governments should be fulfilled seriously so as the people could be given the right to make decisions through elections without any further delay.
Earlier in the day, Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan formed a six-member parliamentary committee for finalising the nomination for the caretaker Punjab chief minister (CM) post.
The parliamentary committee was formed in pursuance of letters written to the Punjab Assembly speaker by the Opposition Leader Hamza Shehbaz and Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi.
The committee members include Malik Ahmed Khan, Hassan Murtaza, Nadeem Kamran, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Raja Basharat and Makhdoom Hashim Jawab Bakht.
The issue of the nomination of the caretaker chief minister of Punjab was referred to the parliamentary committee after the ruling alliance and opposition failed to finalised caretaker CM Punjab.
After dissolution of the Punjab Assembly, consultations between the ruling PTI and PML-Q, and the opposition Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) are underway for appointment of the caretaker chief minister.
Opposition leader Hamza Shehbaz has sent names of Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Ahad Raza Cheema to Punjab governor for appointment as the caretaker chief minister of Punjab.
The PTI-PMLQ has finalized three names for the caretaker Punjab CM. The names included Cabinet Secretary Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera, former health minister Naseer Khan and former chief secretary Nasir Saeed Khosa.
‘Undaunted by disqualification threat’
Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has said they (PDM) are trying their best to disqualify him which is evident from so many court cases, rising with each passing day, but dispelled speculations that he could be disqualified, saying “there is absolutely no case that can disqualify me”.
“It is true there are so many cases registered against me and the “imported rulers” are trying their best to [twist some of them] in their favour and get me disqualified … but I don’t see any such thing,” the former premier said in an interview with BBC.
In an exclusive interview on BBC Urdu, Chairman @ImranKhanPTI has stated how even 2 more months in this current government can be disastrous for the country. pic.twitter.com/y6ZAc9HAj3
— PTI Lahore (@PTIOfficialLHR) January 18, 2023
To a question as to who will head the party in case of his disqualification, Imran replied: “We will cross that bridge when we come to this [disqualification].”
Reiterating his demand for snap polls, the PTI chief reiterated that only free and fair elections could bring back stability in the country. “The way to stability goes through free and fair elections and it the only way out for Pakistan,” he said.
When asked why he is demanding polls only a few months earlier as it could further cause damage to economy, Imran said, “The damage has already been done and it’s only going to get worse the longer this government stays.”
“The worry in Pakistan is that we could have a Sri Lanka type situation,” he added
The former prime minister is facing a slew of cases in the top courts, including the Toshakhana reference in which he is accused of unlawfully selling gifts from foreign dignitaries and heads of state for personal gain.
Imran Khan is trying to get back into power
He says elections now are the answer to stop Pakistan having the same issues as Sri Lanka
His opponents say he is contributing to them, causing chaos to stir financial instability
Our interview with Pakistan's former PM
Prod:@uszahid pic.twitter.com/5BzqbG9kTo— Caroline Davies (@caroline_gm_d) January 19, 2023
The PTI chairman is accused of misusing his 2018 to 2022 premiership to buy and sell gifts in state possession that were received during visits abroad and worth more than 140 million Pakistani rupees. The gifts included watches given by a royal family.
In October last year, the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified the deposed premier, saying he had had “intentionally and deliberately” violated the provisions contained in sections 137, 167 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017 as he submitted a “false statement” and “incorrect declaration” in the details of his assets and liabilities for the year 2020-21.
Subsequently, the district court of Islamabad started the criminal proceedings against the PTI chief after receiving the Toshakhana reference from the ECP.
