PTI’s NA-245 candidate Amjadullah responds to allegations

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf NA-245 candidate Amjadullah Khan who had stepped down from in favour of MQM hours before polling began, responded to allegations hurled against him during a press conference held on Thursday.

"I have joined the MQM of my own will. I have not been bribed. The PPP should refrain from childish politics," he said, refuting Pakistan People’s Party claim that he had withdrawn for financial incentive.

He said he owned a profitable industry and was financially well off. “I and my family are well-fed. I don’t have to change loyalties for money,” he said.

He said that he had joined the PTI because he was impressed by Imran Khan. But was disappointed by the PTI Karachi leadership, and so had left the party. “Even though I was running the campaign for NA-245 Imran Khan did not call or contact me even once.”

He added that last night workers from the PTI came to his house and took statements from his family under duress. “Please do not believe any of those statements,” he said.

Supporting Amjadullah MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that Amjadullah had joined MQM because he had received “love in the party”.

Earlier, Pakistan People’s Party Karachi chief Najmi Alam said that the PTI candidate had withdrawn in favour of MQM for monetary benefits. “Amjadullah approached the PPP last night offering to withdraw in favour of the PPP candidate in exchange of some monetary benefit. When the PPP declined to help him he approached a second party,” he said, adding that the PTI should be careful as to who they award the party ticket.

Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf leader Imran Ismail demanded that the Election Commission of Pakistan declare results of the by-polls at NA-245 null and void, after Amjadullah stepped down in favour of the MQM.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Ismail apologized to PTI workers saying that it was his idea to give a party ticket to Amjadullah. “How could he suddenly find problems with the PTI when he contested the election on the party’s ticket.”