ISLAMABAD - Brushing aside the politics of confrontation with no word on his future protest plan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday gave his plan of sprucing up governance in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to make it ‘Naya KP’.
Addressing Dharna Convention in Islamabad, the PTI chief reiterated his party’s support to government in ongoing war against terrorism, adding PTI would now transform Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa into a model for rest of the country to follow vis-a-vis good governance and efficient delivery of services to the people.
Imran said his party would not create any difficulties for the incumbent government in its fight against terrorism. “We have decided not to create any sort of difficulties so the government could focus on war on terror,” he said.
“Now all our energies will be directed to reform KP,” said Imran while addressing the participants of Dharna Convention. However, he added, “No one should remain under the impression that PTI has backtracked on its word to build a new Pakistan.”
He ruled out the allegations that the PTI’s Islamabad sit-in was ‘scripted’. “I assure you that even Einstein could not have written such a script,” he held. He reiterated his earlier stance that the General Elections 2013 were the most rigged polls in country’s history.
The cricketer-turned-politician added that there should be no confusion about PTI’s stance that the party would not budge an inch from its principled stand on poll rigging investigation.
The PTI chief, in a cheek in tongue remark, thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for providing him with an opportunity to awaken the nation by staging 126-day sit-in in federal capital. He said the people had been awakened, and he thanked the workers and supporters of PTI, especially women and the youth for coming in large numbers to support the cause of Pakistan.
Taking a jibe at the incumbent government for the current petroleum crisis, Imran said, “We were going for shutting down the country but the PML-N government itself shut the entire country by creating petrol shortage.” He accused the government of paralysing life in the country by creating a gas, petrol and water crisis.
The PTI leader also highlighted the measures already being taken in KPK to improve the governance system. Imran said the police system in KPK has been transformed and that reforms were also being introduced in public hospitals. He claimed, “There has not been a single FIR registered against political rivals.”
Outlining the agenda to improve governance in the province ruled by his party, Imran said a cleaning drive will be launched in the entire province, followed by a tree-plantation drive, measures to ensure supply of safe drinking water, as well as improving the systems of government hospitals and educational institutes.
Regarding local government elections in the province, the PTI chief said the province was ready to hold polls but not through the incumbent Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). “The real change will come through the local bodies system,” adding that, “Powers will be devolved at village-level and no MNA, MPA will receive development funds.” He also announced that PTI would soon come up with a new manifesto for the tribal areas.
Talking about change, Imran jokingly added that a change had come in his personal life as well (Tabdeeli to mere ghar mei bhi agayi hai). He argued that the PTI’s 126-day long sit-in at D-Chowk, Islamabad allowed him to understand the strength and weakness of his party, and hence, has decided to reorganise it at district level.
“People, who are not performing, will be kicked out and new people will be brought into the party,” he said. “We have to make this party a democratic party.” He asked PTI leaders Arif Alvi and Saifullah Niazi to begin with the party’s membership drive, and also hold intra-party elections if possible.
He also called out the former Punjab law minister, vowing to hold him accountable for his party worker’s killing in Faisalabad. “Listen, Rana Sanaullah, you will find yourself in prison this very year.” The Dharna Convention burst into applause for their leader when Imran Khan came down from stage to meet a PTI activist Noman Javid who was brought here from Jhelum on stretcher. The boy was injured during the PTI protest in the city on November 16.
PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi said, “Our destination is Naya Pakistan and not Judicial Commission.” He doubted the sincerity of government over the constitution of Judicial Commission. Cheif of his Awami Muslim League, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said that the government would never constitute the Judicial Commission to probe rigging charges.