Midterm polls only solution to Pakistan’s problems: Imran Khan
June 27th, 2011 - 6:00 pm ICT by IANS
Islamabad, June 27 (IANS) Midterm elections are the only way to resolve the problems plaguing Pakistan without bloodshed, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has said.
“Midterm elections are the only solution to the corruption, inefficient governance and other problems plaguing the people of Pakistan. If change takes place through elections, that is the only way bloodshed and violence can be averted,” said Imran, who heads the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party.
According to a report Monday in the Urdu daily Jang, Imran told a press conference in Multan city of Punjab province that the army must support the Supreme Court’s efforts to ensure an impartial and autonomous Election Commission of Pakistan.
Attacking the present ruling dispensation for indulging in “unprecedented levels of corruption”, Imran said the next stage of his party’s “Hukumat Hatao, Mulk Bachao (Remove the Regime, Save the Country)” stir would kick-start from Lahore July 27.
“This will show both Islamabad and Raiwind (referring to the Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League chief Nawaz Sharif) that they are mistaken if they think they can stall change,” he said.
“This will show the people who consider themselves ‘Kings’ what kind of change is in the offing,” Imran asserted.
To a query, he said his party did not contest the polls for the the legislative assembly of Pakistan Kashmir because they were “more of a selection than election” and alleged large-scale electoral fraud by the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party.
Imran Khan also advocated the creation of smaller provinces for better governance and said his party would support any such move.
“If the Peoples Party wants to create smaller provinces, why doesn’t it do so? If they ally with the Muslim League (Q), they will have the necessary two-thirds majority needed. Its all a drama,” he said.
Imran Khan also dismissed charges of corruption against former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and invited him to join the Tehreek-e-Insaaf.
“If he joins us, he will obtain an honoured status,” he said.
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