Imran seeks support of Karachi communities for NA-246 by-poll
April 19, 2015
KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) showed its street power by holding a massive rally Sunday at Aisha Manzil in the wake of upcoming by-election in NA-246 constituency of the city.
Tens and thousands of PTI supporters gathered at the venue and around 3,000 policemen were deployed for the rally’s security.
Speaking to his supporters, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said the time was ripe to shun politics of ethnicity and vote for Pakistan.
He said that he had brought his wife Reham to encourage women of the constituency to come out and vote for the PTI on the April 23.
“If Imran Ismail wins NA-246 by election, it will be a time when you lay the foundation of new Pakistan from here.”
Upping the ante against MQM chief Altaf Hussain, he said his way of running the party affairs from abroad was unprecedented in the world.
“Give me one example from the world’s history where a leader remains out of the country 23 years and his party stays in government.”
“During his (Altaf) speeches, he sounds sober occasionally but all of a sudden starts weeping,” he added.
The PTI chief ruled out restoration of peace in the economic hub of Pakistan without eliminating militant wings of the political parties.
He said the potential of Muhajirs took a nosedive since 1985 when politics of guns and politics in the name of the community began in Karachi.
Khan reiterated that general elections will be held in 2015. “Pakistanis came out and staged a sit in for 126 days and ultimately a judicial commission was formed,” he added.
The PTI chief congratulated Imran Ismail, saying “I am happy that you stood your ground as a true Pakistani when you were attacked during election campaign in NA-246 constituency”.
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Posted by Geo News Urdu on Sunday, April 19, 2015
END OF LIVE UPDATES
I am half Muhajir, Imran persists
Speaking to his supporters, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said the time was ripe to shun politics of ethnicity and vote for Pakistan.
He reiterated that he was a Muhajir from his mother's side, a Siraiki from his father's side and lives in Lahore. "What should I be called then?" he questioned. Answering himself Khan said he was proud to be called a Pakistani.
He urged all communities living in the metropolis to come out in large numbers to vote against the politics of fear on April 23.
The PTI chief also thanked Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) for supporting his party in the NA-246 by-election.
Imran Ismael vows not to bow down against oppression
PTI’s candidate for the NA-246 by-poll Imran Ismael said that he would not back down from his ongoing election campaign despite hooliganism from rivals MQM.
He alleged there were several ‘robbers’ within the ranks of MQM and termed MQM candidate Kanwar Naveed a ‘deserter’ from Hyderabad. Ismael alleged Naveed for embezzlement of millions.
He promised the PTI supporters of restoring normalcy in Karachi.
Qureshi urges Krachiites to break the shackles of fear
Speaking at the rally, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi urged the people of Karachi to break the shackles of fears and vote for the change on April 23.
He said that every major movement for change in the country starts from the Sindh capital. “When Karachi speaks then the whole Pakistan listens,” he added.
@im_auk VC @SMQureshiPTI addressing at #PTINA246Jalsa pic.twitter.com/zu6TR7F11Y"
— Asad Ullah khan(PTI) (@Ak50Asad30) April 19, 2015
Wada demands red warrants for Altaf Hussain
Some parts of the PTI rally, including the stage, have plunged into darkness as soon as party chief Imran Khan reached at the venue.
Sources said that electricity generators were also not working properly to provide power to the whole venue.
Imran Khan reaches at Ayesha Manzil rally
PTI chairman Imran Khan, along with other party leaders, has reached at the venue for today’s rally. He is expected to address the party supporters, gathered in great numbers, shortly.
RT @Channel__24: @ImranKhanPTI has arrived in #PTINA246Jalsa @PTIofficial pic.twitter.com/YnjNYIYokw #PTIFamily
— Connecting PTIFamily (@ptifamily) April 19, 2015
Democratic polls in ‘no go area’ is a change itself: Imran
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Sunday that upcoming by-election, in what he claims a no go area, was itself a great change as rivals Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) were also putting big efforts in electioneering.
Also read: Karachiites have great tolerance to bear with Altaf’s speeches: Imran
Speaking to media representatives at the residence of PTI leader Faisal Wada, he said the Jamaat-e-Isalmi (JI) – PTI’s coalition partners in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – should reconsider their decision of forming an electoral alliance with PML-N for the Azizabad by-poll.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had earlier announced withdrawal of their candidate for the NA-246 by-poll in the favour of JI.
The PTI chief further said that the April 23 elections will decide the fate of Karachi. “We have provided an opportunity for people who want to change the city,” he added.
