KP LG polls lay foundation of ‘real democracy’ in Pakistan: Imran
ISLAMABAD: Congratulating the nation, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday said local bodies elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have laid a foundation for ‘real democracy’ in Pakistan.
Speaking to media representatives at his Bani Gala residence here, he said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) did not hold local government polls in their respective provinces despite
ByOCTOPUS
May 31, 2015
ISLAMABAD: Congratulating the nation, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday said local bodies elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have laid a foundation for ‘real democracy’ in Pakistan.
Speaking to media representatives at his Bani Gala residence here, he said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) did not hold local government polls in their respective provinces despite coming into power six times each.
“We, on the other hand, have devolved power to villages’ level during our first attempt at governing a province,” he said. “This is the change I talk about,” Khan added.
The PTI chief said that for the first time in the country’s history, 41,000 people are elected in true democratically held elections in a province. “The reported irregularities are part of the electoral process of such massive scale.”
Khan said whatever assistance demanded was given to the Election Commission by the provincial government in this regard.
“I suggest anyone who claims poll rigging to appear with us before election tribunals,” said the PTI chairman. Election Commission was responsible for whatever irregularities and unrest took place during the polls, he claimed, adding that an inquiry should be held of such reports.
Commenting over arrest of ANP’s senior leader Mian Iftikhar after alleged killing of a PTI activist, Imran Khan said he respects the former provincial minister as he was a ‘brave man’.
FIR against Mian Iftikhar was neither lodged on CM Pervez Khattak or his directives nor would it be taken back on their behest, he said.
The PTI chief further said that police officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa admit zero political pressure upon them.
“Decision regarding Mian Iftikhar will be taken by police and we will not use our influence to get him out,” he said.
Addressing PPP co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari, Khan said, “This is Khyber Pakthunkhwa’s police Mr Zardari and not of Sindh’s or Punjab’s Gullu police”.
