PTI chief admits to infighting over party tickets

• Imran Khan says Zardari responsible for corruption in Sindh
• PTI’s next rally in Sindh to be held on November 5

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan admitted on Wednesday that there is infighting among party members with regard to the awarding of tickets for next year’s general elections.

Speaking to the media here alongside local party leaders, Imran responded to a question by saying “it is natural for a growing party to experience infighting”.  However, he added that once the tickets are finalised, the quarrelling will stop.

In response to a question regarding lessons learned from the 2013 General Elections, Imran said, “This time around, we will award tickets after a lot of deliberation”.

When asked to comment on reports that former Muttahida Qaumi Movement member and TV star Aamir Liaquat will be joining PTI, the party’s local leader, Imran Khan, said they are in contact with Liaquat and many others along with him who want to join the party.  “This will take time,” he added.

Continuing his tirade against the Pakistan Peoples Party’s government in Sindh, Imran called PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari the head of the province’s ‘corruption mafia’. He said that the biggest corruption is in Sindh and the NAB chief must take notice of it. He accused Faryal Talpur, sister of Asif Zardari for money laundering and said she must be brought to justice. He said problems would not be resolved without across the board accountability.

“Money which should be spent on the province is being siphoned abroad,” he said, adding that Zardari prefers to invest in Dubai rather than in Pakistan.

He also called on the National Accountability Bureau chairman to investigate the $8 billion worth investment undertaken by Pakistanis in Dubai.

The PTI chairman said further that Karachi’s local government (LG) system needs to be improved as at present the local representatives have no authority.

“This is why [Mayor] Waseem Akhtar says he wants Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s LG system,” claimed Imran. He said the sewerage, water and roads facilities are worst as the money allocated for them is sent abroad. He also took notice of 480 million gallons of sewerage water going into the sea and said this was destroying the marine life.

Replying to a question, Imran said for terrorism to be eradicated in Pakistan the rampant corruption needs to end first.

Talking about his present visit to the province, Imran said he has met with politicians, lawyers, members of the business community and party workers. He said the situation in the interior of Sindh is deplorable and the PTI on coming to power would attend the issues of the people.

He informed that the PTI’s next rally in Sindh will be held on November 5 in Ubauru.

Imran opposed the privatisation of state-owned enterprises saying this would not resolve the problem and services of professionals be hired to put them on sound footing.

The PTI chief pointed out that people were inducted on recommendations in the PIA that destroyed the airline.

Answering another question about the party’s disgruntled member Ayesha Gulalai, Imran said that if a party member resigns then he or she is no longer a member of the party.

“If reserved seat MNAs behave like this then it is an outright violation of the law,” he said, adding that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision not to disqualify her despite violating PTI’s directions “will promote horse-trading”.