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KARACHI: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Tuesday defended his party’s decision to induct some familiar political faces among the party ranks.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with Talat Hussain on DawnNews, Khan said although his party was welcoming all new comers regardless of their previous affiliations, however electoral tickets will only be allotted on merit by the central executive committee of the party for the upcoming elections.
“Only people with our ideology will last in the party,” said Khan.
He said the “core group” of his party has passed the test of time for last 15 years. “It’s an ideological team which approves induction of all new comers in the party.”
Answering a question regarding criteria for joining the party, he said “People who agree with the party’s agenda can join PTI.”
He reiterated his focus on declaration of assets, “without declaring assets no one will be allowed to get an electoral ticket,” he added.
Answering a question regarding Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Khan said that he (Qureshi) has become vice president of the party purely on merit after internal debate.
Talat Hussain asked Khan whether he would be blaming Qureshi for being a status quo leader if he would have chosen to join PML-N rather than PTI?
“I was sure he would join PTI ever since he took a stance on Raymond Davis’s immunity issue,” replied Khan.
He said “new faces” were also joining the party but were not highlighted by the media as much as some of the big guns were.
“More than 1000 tickets are to be allotted, majority will be new people,” he added.
Khan vowed to win the upcoming elections by taking clear majority in centre and two provinces (Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.)
Answering a question he gave examples of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) which won elections through a movement rather than depending on familiar faces to get votes from masses.
He said President Asif Ali Zardari has exposed all political parties by his policies of “reconciliatory politics.”
He said the complete party agenda will be announced on the December 25 rally in Karachi.
News Night with Talat - Ep 291 - Part 1
News Night with Talat - Ep 291 - Part 2
News Night with Talat - Ep 291 - Part 3
News Night with Talat - Ep 291 - Part 4
