PMLN follows MQM's footsteps in Punjab, claims Khan

LAHORE: In a message to the Sharif brothers, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Thursday said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz follows in the footsteps of the MQM in Punjab.

Addressing the media in Lahore, he claimed that the ruling party has made Punjab into a police state, adding that if the real killers of PTI’s workers are not caught then his party will surround the offices of police officials.

Khan went on to say that the work of the police is not to back thugs and killers and it is actually to protect the citizens.

“I have a message for you Nawaz Sharif, peoples’ minds have changed, there is no space for thugs in Naya (new) Pakistan.”

Earlier today, the PTI chief addressing a formal press conference at the Chairman Secretariat Lahore said that, there is a union of corrupt people in Pakistan whose only aim is to make money by coming into power and then move to a foreign country.

Khan further said democracy is another name for accountability and vowed to end ‘autocracy’ which some families continue to impose in the country in the name of democracy.

Commenting on Rana Sanaullah, Khan said, "The killer of 17 people is Minister of Law in Punjab; he is a murderer as claimed by another PML-N member's father."

Regarding the upcoming Local Government elections, he said PTI will put in its all out effort to win the polls.

The PTI chairman also told the party workers that the fight for ‘Naya Pakistan’ is tough, therefore, sacrifices will have to be rendered for this cause.

Rana Sanaullah reacts

Replying to Khan's criticism of PML-N, Rana Sanaullah likened his party's popularity in the province to that of MQM in Karachi.

"PTI's future is that of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) ", he added.

Sanaullah said it is an old habit of Imran Khan to level allegations against government institutions. "The PTI chief starts crying before every election," he said.

MQM's Waseem Akhtar responds to statement of PTI chairman

Responding to Khan's statement, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Waseem Akhtar termed PTI as 'Tehreek-e-Taliban of Pakistan', claiming women were not allowed to exercise their right to vote in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

He said Imran-led party wanted to hold negotiations with the Taliban.