ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder and former prime minister Imran Khan on Wednesday warned of a looming financial crisis akin to that faced by Sri Lanka, predicting further inflation and potential public unrest.
Speaking to media at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, Khan criticised what he described as ongoing “deception” within the country, condemning the recently-held general elections as fraudulent and alleging compromise within institutions. Dismissing security threats as fabricated, he asserted that the nation was being misled.
“Institutions have been destroyed. PTI was not allowed to compete in elections. Although voters expressed their discontent on polling day, they did not accept the change through votes. By snatching the mandate, they have dashed the nation’s hopes,” Khan said.
He insisted that his previous predictions had come true, reiterating concerns over a Sri Lanka-like scenario unfolding in Pakistan, with inflation rising and the populace bearing the brunt.
Khan clarified that no deals were being made and he is not even being allowed to meet his lawyers.
He pledged to continue peaceful protests against electoral fraud and vowed to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
Additionally, Khan warned of potential corruption in the upcoming Senate elections, referencing the case of PPP’s Yousuf Raza Gilani’s son, who was allegedly involved in misconduct during the previous Senate polls and has yet to face any repercussions.
On the other hand, PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh demanded on Wednesday to lift the ban imposed on meeting party founder Imran Khan incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail and highlighted the threats to the former premier’s life.
“Meetings with Imran have been banned after some terrorists were arrested a few days back. Party leaders and I have a meeting scheduled with Imran tomorrow and we must not be barred. Otherwise, the entire nation will gather outside the prison. We do not want to risk Imran’s life as the country cannot undergo further tests,” warned the PTI leader while speaking to the media outside the Sindh High Court (SHC).
Referring to alleged rigging during the February 8 elections, the PTI leader said his counsel, Barrister Ali Tahir, filed a petition in the election tribunal regarding poll fraud in NA-238, claiming he won the seat with a lead of over 75,000 votes against his rival MQM-P candidate. “This issue is not just about obtaining a mandate but safeguarding the votes of the general public who came out to vote,” said Adil and added that every “Pakistani citizen has the right to vote, and we are here to restore that right in the courts”.
He maintained that they would not give up and “this was just the beginning”.
Adil added that the PTI will move the Supreme Court to retain their stolen mandate and said that an FIR was lodged against Returning Officer Qazi Farooq Ahmed and District Returning Officer Altaf Sheikh of his constituency under Section 22-A.
“22 seats in the National Assembly, two in Hyderabad and 38 in our provincial assembly have been stolen. People of Karachi voted for Imran on Feb 8, but our mandate was stolen on Feb 9 under a conspiracy,” said Adil.
Taking a jibe at the PPP government in Sindh, the PTI leader said that the province has been handed over to “extortionists, bloodshedders and target killers”, adding that PTI bagged more than one million votes from Karachi and that Imran’s party will always stand with the people of the port city.
Adil also announced that PTI has decided to call a march aimed at reclaiming Karachi’s stolen mandate backed by a million-march scheduled after, adding that the party core committee will announce the date formally soon.
“We will mobilise our one million voters for a day. We will march legally after getting permission,” he added.
Adil concluded by saying that the matter of rigged elections will also be taken in the public courts and vowed to reclaim the stolen mandate and free Imran from prison. –Agencies
