PTI postpones intra-party polls

Decides to launch countrywide movement against corruption, tax evasion, money laundering

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to postpone the intra-party elections and the party has decided to make preparations for mass mobilisation to launch a nationwide movement against corruption, tax evasion and money laundering.

The party’s top leadership met here with PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the chair and took stock of the situation evolving in the backdrop of PanamaLeaks at this critical juncture.The first casualty of the proposed nationwide movement is the already postponed intra-party election. However, the party expressed its resolve to hold the electoral exercise at an appropriate time but postponed it for an indefinite period.

A source privy to the meeting told The News that the forum noted with concern the government’s massive spending from the national exchequer on a relentless media campaign to defend the Sharif family with regard to their offshore companies reflected in the Panama Papers. It said the meeting was happy on people’s more-than-encouraging response to its rallies.

In the coming days, various committees will be formed to mobilise the public on the proposed movement, the source maintained and added during the month of Ramazan, Iftari gatherings would be an ideal opportunity to sensitise the people about the PTI’s programme.

The PTI leadership also expressed its serious concern over the government efforts to pressure the independent media, especially the electronic media.It said that the party leadership felt it was simply unacceptable that the government was using public funds in efforts to stop TV channels from conducting investigations into corruption and exposing the guilty, while throwing disproportionate funds on those channels that fall in line with the government’s propaganda.

The independent media, the source noted, has fought for its freedom and independence and the PTI stood behind the independent media and would not allow the government to use Pemra and its chief for its nefarious ends.

However, it was learnt that no specific mention was made regarding Imran’s announcement to launch a march on Raiwind. He had made this announcement immediately after the PanamaLeaks.