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Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan while addressing a rally in Bahawalpur on Sunday vowed that once the PTI comes to power, no other cricket team in the world will be able to beat Pakistan.
"The Pakistani cricket team lost so badly," he told the crowd, referring to the Pakistan Test team's recent whitewash in a series against Australia.
"Our team doesn't lose because there is a lack of talent. There is no lack of talent in this country," he said.
"Over here, there is no system for cricket," he claimed. "We cannot polish our talent."
"When the PTI comes [to power], I will fix the problems in cricket and sports. No other team will be able to beat us," he promised.
The PTI chief, speaking about the ongoing Panamagate case probing the Sharif family's ownership of properties, claimed the PTI's argument in the case is based on the allegations that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif brought properties in his daughter Maryam Nawaz's name using stolen money.
"People like [Defence Minister] Khawaja Asif say Panama is not a problem for the Pakistani people," he said. "Is it a problem for India then?" he asked.
Read more
Both PTI, PML-N eye favourable judgement in Panamagate case
Panamagate case: SC asks Sharif lawyers to establish ownership of Minerva Financial Services Ltd
PTI papers: Five unusual things you'll find in Imran's case file against PM Nawaz
Supreme Court focus remains on Maryam Nawaz's expenditures
PML-N papers: A snapshot of Nawaz Sharif's personal expenses through 2011-2012
PML-N papers: The Sharif family and the gifts they keep on giving
On DawnNews
Comments (96) Closed
Jan 08, 2017 05:14pm
People are being fooled even like this?!
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Jan 08, 2017 05:16pm
Brave man and only one who challenged the lords of time.
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Jan 08, 2017 05:19pm
Imran has lost even the sense of cricket. Every team enters the ground to win but only one wins and not always.
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Jan 08, 2017 05:21pm
Politicians!!!!..….a different breed....
I don't think any voter will fall for this
..
.
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Jan 08, 2017 05:24pm
You don't have to wait till you become in power you can start by doing this in KPK. Stop playing 'Trump' and just grow up.
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Jan 08, 2017 05:26pm
Merit, justice, transparency, accountability and good governance has to be introduced in its true essence and then watch Pakistan progress in leaps and bounds in every field.
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Jan 08, 2017 05:25pm
PTI may or may not make us unbeatable but CPEC will definitely make us number one in all fields.
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Jan 08, 2017 05:40pm
IK is the only hope to take Pakistan out of corruption in all departments including cricket where a non cricket person is put just to pay him back for election help, and after criticism, Sharif wants to keep him there, what does it mean? NS like corrupt cronies.
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Jan 08, 2017 05:44pm
Imran should know politics is a different ball game than cricket.
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Jan 08, 2017 05:46pm
Like a broken record. Nothing new, useful or insightful to say.
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Jan 08, 2017 05:56pm
Cricket team winning or losing isn't going to solve the problems facing our country. Instead of silly rhetoric, speak about policy issues and real problems facing the people and country.
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Jan 08, 2017 05:54pm
This is sound like a plan, I can trust on this visionary leader, he can fix the problems in cricket at least
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Jan 08, 2017 05:59pm
When I come to power I will fix all problems in cricket ,no body will be able to beat is
Are you joking Mr IK.
Is there anyone stopping you from doing that in last say 5/6 years.?
Stop playing with sentiments of public to get votes.
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Jan 08, 2017 06:01pm
OK. So you are now going to use cricket defeat to chastise the government? Height of desperation!
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Jan 08, 2017 06:09pm
Why did he not establish a cricket academy to groom raw talent in Pakistan? He would have done enormous service to the country that way.
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Jan 08, 2017 06:16pm
I didn't know that as a cricketer,politician and a heartthrob he is also good in comedy.
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Jan 08, 2017 06:16pm
So IK need PM chair to help Pakistan Cricket....
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Jan 08, 2017 06:31pm
Cricket is game of luck. Even the worst teams can win at times. One player can not go on scoring centuries every time. Off course one can hone skills and variations to achieve some success, but night is always followed by a day. It is wrong to take pride in win and feel sorry for loss.
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Jan 08, 2017 06:41pm
How come it is possible that nobody can beat us. This is game and others teams are also there to play and try to win like us. Please don’t give sweeping statement like past
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Jan 08, 2017 06:48pm
Meaning No other than Aus , Eng, WI,SA ,IND, Ban , SL etc ....?
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Jan 08, 2017 06:49pm
What...is he going to play?
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Jan 08, 2017 06:59pm
Dear colleagues: while I have no proof or conducted any personal discovery to support what Imran is contending, his reported statements certainly make sense! Pakistan has no shortage of talent in any discipline. I have lived in America for the past 40 years now. Pakistani talent is " running" America! We are leaders and productive contributors of this American "system". I remember my boss in Pakistan once told me that "he does not have a place for a person like me on his faculty". And I left. Now I am at a highest possible civil service executive non political career position despite being a Muslim and a Pakistani- American.
Imran khan therefore makes sense. Pakistan has talent that needs to be steered in a " corruption" free society. Simply my two cents!
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Jan 08, 2017 06:55pm
Its so easy to get carried away in politics
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Jan 08, 2017 06:57pm
What is he mean by " No other cricket team".... Currently, our cricket team beats it self by dropping catches, throwing wickets etc. that must be ok to him...LOL
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Jan 08, 2017 07:00pm
cant wait for next elections a sweep is very much on the cards ppl r sick of two families ruling for so long!
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Jan 08, 2017 07:08pm
From whr will u get the likes of Javed Miandad, Wasim, Saeed, Amir Sohail, Aqib Javed?????? Cricket has changed a lot so dont make commitments that u can honor later on. Focus on KPK and next elections. U will jave a greater responsibility of a country while cricket ground is just a sports whr Somalian atheletes win Gold but country in shambles. Hope u understand Mr. IK...
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Jan 08, 2017 07:16pm
If things are placed in order by someone who is sincere to the country not only in cricket but in every field we can be competitive, we need a true leader, like IK and nation should give him a chance to test if he fail too by God forbid there will be no harm as we are being fooled by other leaders since independence!!!!!!
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Jan 08, 2017 07:19pm
in South Punjab, instead of calming the apprehensions of the people regarding resource drain by the center (Central Punjab), IK chooses to talk about cricket. So much for being aware of the problems of the people.
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Jan 08, 2017 07:24pm
Once again tall claims without any solid proofs and strategy. How many world class cricketers KPK has produced after your government in this particular region??
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Jan 08, 2017 07:35pm
Yes Imran, cricket is what you should fix in Pakistan after coming to power.
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Jan 08, 2017 07:39pm
When Imran was captain of Pakistani cricket team, he used to lose the series against the Aussies the same way as did the recent Pakistani team recently. Under Imran's captaincy, Pakistani cricket team lost number of series and matches against all the major cricketing teams, even at homes. As a player or captain he never made Pakistani team unbeatable. Now he is making claim, under his premiership no country will be able to beat Pakistan in cricket. An another unsubstantiated claim by Imran.
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Jan 08, 2017 07:45pm
I believe instead of making unreal statements PTI should say that it will be difficult for other teams to beat Pakistan. No matter how good is the team winning and losing is a part of the game
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Jan 08, 2017 07:41pm
Funnily, imran Khan himself never believed in system. He was a great player and used to pick top players wherever he saw them, even when they had no major experience. That was no system!
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Jan 08, 2017 07:44pm
He has lost touch with reality. Someone tell him its 2017 and not 1992 anymore.
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Jan 08, 2017 07:51pm
Say whatever is the music to the ears of Pakistanis.
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Jan 08, 2017 07:50pm
Yes, the great Imran Khan can fix cricket problems and other problems in the "land of the pure" since he is one of the few politicians who is honest, dedicated, patriotic, educated, mature, candid, civilized and God fearing leader.
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Jan 08, 2017 07:50pm
How many times did the team that you lead lost? Do not politicize sports and take the fun out of it. Misbah is a lot better captain than many others, including the Khan's.
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Jan 08, 2017 07:53pm
Politicians are there to run the country and specific administrators are there to run the sports bodies. Pakistan has more severe problems that cricket as it is suffering from corruption, religious extremism, extremism as state policy where every oNe of its neighbours are targetting it, poverty, litracy rate, economic sustainance, lack of woman empowerment and so on. It would be sensible to see if he promises any such and makes the country a decent entity to coexist with.
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Jan 08, 2017 07:56pm
Absolutely! Cricket alongwith other sports is impacted due to corrupt rulers. Fixing corruption will fix many issues
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Jan 08, 2017 08:04pm
I would like to have imran as indian PM if he can do this for india too
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Jan 08, 2017 08:11pm
"People like [Defence Minister] Khawaja Asif say Panama is not a problem for the Pakistani people," he said. "Is it a problem for India then?" he asked."
This shows people like Khuwaja Asif see corruption as their legal right. They think they are above the law.
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Jan 08, 2017 08:15pm
Why only the cricket performance but many serious problems namely corruption, terrorism etc facing Pakistan will vanish in the thin air when Imran takes over the reign of the country.
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Jan 08, 2017 08:27pm
I think he should be cricket coach instead of a politician.
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Jan 08, 2017 08:26pm
Hahahahaha just this
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Jan 08, 2017 08:38pm
well said kapitaan !!
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Jan 08, 2017 08:49pm
Where is logic???
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Jan 08, 2017 08:56pm
Pakistani Nation stands with IK and fully supports him in the war against corruption and injustice.
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Jan 08, 2017 09:04pm
Appealing to sentiment and emotions. Lacking substance and depth.
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Jan 08, 2017 09:15pm
Huh....what is he talking about? He is a lost case too.
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Jan 08, 2017 09:28pm
Imran Khan is the only person can bring Pakistan cricket team on track , but unfortunately not in power
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Jan 08, 2017 09:29pm
You are the only hope Imran Khan!
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Jan 08, 2017 09:30pm
The Panamagate affair is certainly a problem for every Pakistani.
As regards the headline, that is an exaggeration and a political pitch. Pakistan can have a better cricket system and perhaps a better cricket team but no more. You cannot limit the scope of the other teams and the playing conditions.
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Jan 08, 2017 09:40pm
way to go kaptaan sb...i will with you all the way!
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Jan 08, 2017 09:44pm
Imran khan, najam sathi has already fixed the cricket, first we used to lose the match on 3rd or 4th day, now we taking it Down to the wire.
Inshallah in next few years we will able to draw.
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Jan 08, 2017 09:44pm
is cricket really that important? what about education, healthcare and infrastructure?
Surely our leaders should be talking about improving them rather than a sport that has no bearing on the wellbeing of the common man.
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Jan 08, 2017 09:54pm
Right on !
Talent will flourish if there is merit in selection and investment in the domestic structure. There should be accountability and transparency. Only Imran Khan can ensure this. The rest are all corrupt and have vested interests . Panama gate is only the tip of the iceberg.
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Jan 08, 2017 10:15pm
That's just a sensationalist promise.
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Jan 08, 2017 10:30pm
Can't believe this in an election rally!!?? Man has no plans of a political nature??
Incredible!!!
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Jan 08, 2017 10:33pm
Fix it now.We are already ver sad on our team's performance.
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Jan 08, 2017 10:32pm
Why not you IK develop a cricket team in KPK at regional level?!?
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Jan 08, 2017 10:37pm
Yeah right, it will take decades to change the system. Look at WI, they haven't been able to reach their zenith since 80's.
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Jan 08, 2017 10:40pm
What a vision? IK doesn't know the difference in managing a cricket team and running a country.
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Jan 08, 2017 10:51pm
I have always respected IK. But even he has started talking like a politician.
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Jan 08, 2017 11:22pm
This guy is completely wrong. We all know Pakistan will never be able to reach this status and we all are in agreement that he is making false promises as always :) That is why pakistani public is not with him.
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Jan 08, 2017 11:45pm
That could be his main mission as prime minister.
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Jan 08, 2017 11:48pm
Indian political parties should learn from Imran khan how to make use of limited resources to appeal voters.
Subcontinent politics is touching their lowest level.
Politicians are tryin to woo people by any mean and in that course they don't even spare cricket.
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Jan 08, 2017 11:58pm
Only mere talks and useless utterances by this PTI supremo, no proper ground work at all.
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Jan 09, 2017 12:12am
That could only happen when old peoples like Misbah leave the cricket in younger and more energetic peoples hands
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Jan 09, 2017 12:17am
Imran Khan's team. On 80s and 90's could never beat Australia in Australia in a test series , but if we make him the prime minister then no team.in the world could ever beat Pakistani team . Are we so gullible to believe this argument ?
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Jan 09, 2017 12:49am
Pakistan has too many things broken first of all realization amongst people their leaders PML/PPP/MQM are not sincere.
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Jan 09, 2017 12:57am
He can fix the cricketing woes of the nation without being in power, I think he is more suitable for that job. Don't waste time to fix Pakistan cricket until you (might never) get into power, you should do what you specialize in Khan Sb..
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Jan 09, 2017 12:59am
So instead of dealing with issues like security, poverty, poor education and healthcare, unemployment and corruption he will focus on building a good cricket team. He needs to understand the urgent problems of this country. Cricket is not going to fill peoples stomachs.
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Jan 09, 2017 01:10am
How is this statement related to actual welfare/ progress or upliftment of the poor...
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Jan 09, 2017 01:18am
It's a painful truth. Imran khan is right. This man should be given a chance to be next PM of Pakistan. He is well educated and actually do something for poors unlike Sharif family.
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Jan 09, 2017 02:15am
I totally believe him. I am voting for him.
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Jan 09, 2017 02:55am
Why is he waiting to become PM to solve cricket issue? He was a passio ate and professional cricketer, has his passion turned into power hunger or was it there since then? Mr Khan please grow up.
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Jan 09, 2017 03:28am
Keep knocking at the doors of deaf and dumb people sir...hats of to your unwavering commitments.
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Jan 09, 2017 03:46am
Why doesn't he say no country can beat us economically? What has cricket got to do as it is not even an international sport?
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Jan 09, 2017 03:45am
Sure, he'll ensure there's no rigging in the cricket field. He'll also make sun rise from the west.
Politicians make impossible promises matching voter wishes to get their votes. He's no different.
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Jan 09, 2017 04:43am
No body else need to do any beating, management and players are taking care of beating amongst themselves.
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Jan 09, 2017 05:13am
Funny. He is using cricket failure in his political favor. Yes he can improve cricket for that he can simply act on cricket body and need not be PM to make changes.
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Jan 09, 2017 05:17am
Every Political party only claims...
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Jan 09, 2017 05:34am
Is this a basic need of Pakistani peoples ?
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Jan 09, 2017 05:36am
yes please IK. kindly fix the cricket atleast because NS and AAZ will never let you fix this country
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Jan 09, 2017 06:01am
IK is claiming too much. How can any team not beat Pak team with PTI coming to power? In sports every team lose games, series, tournament and with current Pak team it is easily beatable by most cricket playing teams.
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Jan 09, 2017 06:34am
I don't vote for the cricket team to win matches but for a hope for a better life.
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Jan 09, 2017 07:07am
Khan Sb. With due respect, there are some other problems with Pakistan today. Cricket is the least of them.
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Jan 09, 2017 07:15am
Someone who can't fix his party how can he fix so many things. IK needs to show first that KPK has really changed and improved, he can make tall claims which will hurt him more. He keeps talking unnecessarily without thinking of consequences. IK learn humility and remember this old saying by someone humble "don't say you will climb the mountain, instead when you reach at the top humbly say you have climbed the mountain".
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Jan 09, 2017 07:33am
@CRICKET-ONE : Give the guy a break... What should he say that I will eliminate load shedding like the Sharif brothers did? There is disparity all over country and Khan Sb just mentioned because we have lost our position in sports like we once had. Cricket was always a matter of pride for Pakistan.. Its definitely not the top priority but not the last either .
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Jan 09, 2017 07:42am
@CRICKET-ONE It seems you have not been watching the news lately. Can you kindly list issues which IK, as opposition party, has not raised in parliament, courts or roads?
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Jan 09, 2017 07:38am
Mr. Imran Khan, then you may pls. try & focus to become Pakistan's Cricket team coach... and not Prime Minister.
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Jan 09, 2017 07:39am
Well said... But PML N and PPP will try their best to keep the country as it is
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Jan 09, 2017 08:37am
Sometime politician gives laughable remarks. Being a great cricketer, how can Imran Khan says the Pakistan cricket team would be unbeatable, simply a laughable remark. Yet no doubt, as can be assume, he may improve the team performance if he get involve in the PCB management.
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Jan 09, 2017 10:09am
The problem with IK is, that he does not have anything to show to the voters about his work in the province where he has government. This will not work at all. The voter of KPK gave a chance to IK to show his mantle. He has almost wasted it by installing Khatak instead of taking the rein of the province himself and do good work for the people.
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Jan 09, 2017 10:15am
Sports + Politics? Wrong Policy
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Jan 09, 2017 10:39am
...yeah no team will ever beat Pakistan after PTI GOVT because you have 3rd UMPIRE.
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