Pakistanis must choose between thieves and saviours: Imran

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan said on Monday that it was about time for the nation to decide its future, adding that the country could not develop in the current corrupt system.
While addressing a packed gathering at the Attock Bar Association Hall, Imran said the incumbent government was completing its five-year term, but the masses were still deprived of their basic rights. He said that lawlessness and corruption in the country had crossed all limits.
“This so-called democracy has turned into a quagmire for the people of Pakistan. This is not democracy rather it is Kleptocracy, as dacoits are running the affairs of the country. The (foreign) debt has increased from Rs 6,000 billion to Rs 14,000 billion in the last five years, and the middle class is eliminated from the society due to skyrocketing prices,” said Imran Khan. “Corruption is rampant in the country and there is an ‘alliance of a few’ between the ruling parties, while the provincial rulers are also eyeing the federal government because they think it’s their turn now,” he added.
The PTI chief said that foreign investment in Pakistan had diminished because of chaos and violence. He said both the PTI and the lawyers were striving for the independence of judiciary. He said it was essential to introduce truly democratic norms in the country in order to allay the woes of the Pakistani people. “I think it is about time that our peoples decide what sort of government they want. They would have to decide between thieves and saviours. They would have to decide what sort of country they want for their future generations,” he said.
The cricket legend-turned politician said there was a dire need to elect revolutionary politicians, who are patriotic and pro-public. He said the government’s performance has been pathetic, and the country needs committed people with the ability to put the country back on track. He said the PTI was the only party with a committed leadership. He said the country’s poor economy required a lean and mean cabinet, whose size should not exceed 17 ministers.
He said the present system was not meant for democracy but for minting more and more money for personal interests. He said that it was time for politicians to sacrifice their petty interests for the greater good of the country. “Each and every MPA is being doled out Rs 70 million in the name of development funds. Pakistan has never seen such chaos in its entire history as during the last five years,” he said, adding that the deployment of Rangers and the army was not a permanent solution to violence in Karachi.