NA-246 election will decide Karachi’s fate: Imran Khan

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman, Imran Khan Saturday said the upcoming by election in NA-246 will decide the fate of Karachi.

“PTI is contesting the by election not just for a single seat, but for the future of entire country,” he said while addressing a press conference at the residence of Imran Ismail, PTI’s candidate for NA-246 election contest scheduled to be held on April 23.

He said PTI will do its best to win the election.

Imran Khan said his party had a contact with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leadership to reach an understanding in connection with the NA-246 by poll. But, he added, that it seems the JI also wants to play the match.

He said Karachi will have no future if the existing situation persisted in the metropolis. He, however, congratulated Imran Ismail for what he said the dilution of fear felt by the people of Karachi. “Imran Ismail stood his ground in the face of sticks and attacks.”

Imran Khan said PTI has full trust in Rangers and ‘we want the paramilitary force not to allow building up of an atmosphere of fear on the day of polling’.

“MQM should allow people to come out and cast their votes without indulging in spreading of fear,” he said.

He said PTI’s tomorrow’s rally in Karachi assumes great importance, adding a heavy responsibility lies on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure that the election in NA-246 doesn’t become controversial.

The PTI Chairman termed the formation of Judicial Commission (JC) as a major achievement of his party.

He said PTI is going to attend the next hearing of JC with full preparation. “All the relevant material possessed by PTI will be brought before the judicial commission in the next hearing.”