Will compromise on government, not democracy, says Imran

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan, while addressing a rally in Peshawar on Friday, said he is willing to compromise on the ruling government but not on democracy. 

The PTI chairman said that the ruling government has no respect for democracy or the state's institutions. 

Criticising Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif, he said: "Nawaz has been disqualified because he stole nation's money." 

Nawaz has about Rs300 billion abroad, all of which he stole from the nation, Imran alleged.

"Nawaz will go to any limit to escape accountability."

Imran also claimed that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is just a mere puppet of the Sharif family. 

Imran, referring to the commotion witnessed today at Islamabad’s accountability court, said the Sharif family does not want the cases against them to proceed.

He further claimed that if the cases against them were proven, the Sharif family wealth outside the country will be seized. 

About the NA-4 by-elections, Imran urged the public to go out to vote and give a message that they want to see the nation prosper. 

Imran also lashed out at Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari. 

“It seems like a sign of the day of judgement when Asif Zardari thinks that corrupt practices took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Imran said, referring to what Zardari had said during speeches on his recent visit to the province.

“Now I will be going to Sindh and will help people break free from the shackles of fear," he claimed.  

He also stressed on the importance of development and progress in the country. While giving the example of Switzerland, Imran said the country only has mountains and cows from which they procure milk and butter but still its people are the happiest. 

He added Pakistan is rich in resources and natural beauty, despite which people are suffering.

PTI chief also shared that he has recently discovered four places in the mountains of Kohistan and Hazara which his government has planned to open for tourists by next year. 

On the occasion, PTI leader Pervez Khattak congratulated ANP's Arbab Najeebullah on joining PTI.

“When we asked Arbab Najeebullah why he defected to PTI [from ANP] he said he trusted Imran,” Khattak said.

While criticising those who question PTI’s slogan of change, Khattak said those who wreaked damage in the province’s police force and hospitals cannot see what change has been brought about in KP. 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and other leaders of the party were also present at the rally ground.

Police personnel were deployed on all four sides of the rally ground, situated near Ring Road, to ensure security of the event.

Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had objected to the rally, deeming it to be in NA-4 constituency of Peshawar. However, Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Saqib Raza Aslam clarified that the rally was scheduled for NA-2.

Reservations over rally being held in NA-4 were raised as by-election is due in the constituency later in October.