–PTI chief says wife saw him ‘grow old in three weeks’ over matter of party tickets
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Saturday said that his party was never prepared for the elections the way it is this time around.
Addressing workers at the Jinnah Convention Centre as part of his election campaign in National Assembly constituency NA-53 Islamabad, he said that he wanted to convey a few things to the workers.
“Workers should note that the first rule of a competition is to never consider your opponent weak,” the PTI chief said. “We were never prepared the way we are this time.”
‘ONLY 11 PLAYERS ARE PICKED’:
Speaking of distribution of tickets, he said that he faced immense difficulties in the process of awarding party tickets to the candidates.
“There were several capable candidates, but the ticket was to be handed to one person,” Imran said, adding that there was no way to avoid the dismay of aspirants.
“My wife saw me growing old in three weeks over the matter of party tickets,” he said.
“When 11 players are picked out of a squad of 20, then the remaining individuals feel disappointed,” the PTI chief said, adding that once he also felt disappointed when he was not selected in the team.
He lauded the women members of his party for their services during the Islamabad sit-ins, and noted that awarding tickets to women, who could legislate, was necessary.
He said the phase of tickets’ distribution was really tormenting. “I do not want to get into the agony of tickets in future; we will hold party election after the general election.”
He further said that no woman will be awarded ticket for a reserved seat, unless she makes her way up through the party ranks by contesting intra-party elections.
Imran Khan on Saturday invited former PML-N member Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor to join PTI.
During his contact with the PML-N renegade, Imran said to Ghafoor, “You are a brave man. PTI needs people like you.”
Abdul Ghafoor announced to end his 28-year-old association with the PML-N last week, after accusing the Sharif brothers of ‘selling’ party tickets.
