Imran asks CJP to compare KP with other provinces

• PTI chief appreciates CJP for visiting Peshawar to identify problems
• Imran invites Nisar to join PTI

LAHORE: Imran Khan on Thursday responded to the visit of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar to Peshawar where he heard cases pertaining to the violations in basic human rights, saying the CJP was identifying problems faced by the local citizen which was fine, suggesting him to compare Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with other provinces.

He said, “I want the chief justice to do two things…I want him to draw a comparison between other provinces and KP and inquire the people what has changed in the past five years. This will prove beneficial for us too.”

IMRAN INVITES NISAR:

Imran invited the disgruntled leader of ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to join his party.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman said his ‘old friend’ had refused to take orders from Maryam Nawaz which impressed him.

He said, “I was happy to see Nisar showing some spine…I liked the fact that Nisar refused to take orders from a woman who has no standing in the party except for being daughter of Nawaz Sharif.”

HORSE-TRADING:

Discussing the issue of horse-trading in the recently held Senate elections, Imran said that the decision to expel party members found guilty of selling votes in Senate elections was done on the basis of investigation done by PTI’s internal committee.

The PTI chief added that 20 party members, found guilty of selling their votes, have been given a chance to present themselves before the party’s investigation committee to respond to clear their name. Imran added that the party will submit the names of these members to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on their inability to satisfy the committee with their responses.

Imran further said that members of his party were bought but the issue to be pondered on was who bought them.

“Leaders of all parties were aware that votes are sold in the Senate elections but they all chose to become quiet onlookers,” he said.

The PTI chairman further claimed that he was offered Rs450mn to get a senator elected, adding that he could not divulge the name of the individual who had made that offer as he had declined it. The politician further added that others had also been made similar offers.

Imran said that it was the first time that a party had shown the courage to put its own government at risk to expel those involved in selling their votes.

“We have another list that details the members of other parties who sold their vote and we are waiting to see if these parties will take any action against their members,” said Imran, adding that PTI shall disclose the list upon the parties’ failure to do so.

IMRAN HAS NO EVIDENCE: SANA RANA

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah claimed that the PTI chief had no evidence against the 20 party members who he named and shamed with regard to allegations of horse-trading.

Sanaullah suggested that the 20 lawmakers should grab Imran by his collar on the issue. “”These 20 people need to now grab Imran Khan by the collar,” he said.

The PML-N leader added, “Imran Khan has left these 20 people with no option. He does not even have any evidence against them, and this step has hurt their party.”

CARETAKER PM:

The PTI chief said that both PPP and PML-N had been unfair in deciding to nominate the caretaker prime minister and heads of the Election Commission of Pakistan and NAB.

He said, “The main purpose of the ECP is to allow a neutral setup.”

“When these people will forge a deal amongst themselves, then it means that a neutral setup doesn’t exist,” Imran added.

LAHORE ARRIVAL:

Imran Khan arrived in Lahore on Thursday for a one-day visit. During his visit, he presided over various meetings for the preparations of his upcoming rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on April 29. Imran Khan addressed separate meetings of central Punjab, west Punjab and Insaaf Student Federation (ISF) at a local club.

Imran led head meetings of party counsellors, representatives of women and youth and attended party’s membership camps.