Khan throws down the gauntlet, tells Opp to prepare for LG re-poll

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Monday reiterated that his party was ready to hold local bodies’ elections again in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the supervision of the army.

Khan alleged that the Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) massively rigged the local government elections. “I ask JUI and ANP that if they are sincere, prepare for re-elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”

Khan said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government was not asked to resign despite the fact that they were not willing to conduct recount on four constituencies following allegations of rigging the 2013 general elections. “Why is the KP government being asked to resign now?” he asked.

Khan’s statement comes amid protests from opposition parties and allegations of rigging in the recently-held local government polls in the province.

To a question, he said Punjab police has become a mercenary force for the government.

Khan said that the PML-N government was responsible for the recent killing of two brothers at the hands of policemen in Rawalpindi. He was speaking to reporters after visiting the residence of the slain brothers to condole with members of the family.

Unable to speak to the media due to noise from the crowd gathered around, television footage showed an agitated Khan reacting angrily and asking the crowd to quiet down because the media could not hear him.