HARIPUR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan has urged people to rise against the “obsolete, exploitative system which has only added to their suffering in the past 65 years”.

Addressing a big gathering at grounds of the Elementary College here on Sunday in connection with the upcoming by-elections for the National Assembly seat NA-19, he said: “We will bring about a socio-economic change in the country because we oppose all kinds of corruption and mismanagement in governance.”

The PTI chairman’s arrival caused a severe gridlock for hours in scorching heat on the G.T. Road, which is the only road link between Gilgit and the rest of the country.

Mr Khan urged local people to vote in favour of PTI’s candidate, Raja Aamir Zaman, on Aug 16.

He said the PTI would not let the rulers exploit the people in the name of development because it had inculcated the sense of fair play in their minds.

He said the existing system, being based on corruption and exploitation, could not benefit the people.

Mr Khan said the PTI’s government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had brought about meaningful changes in the revenue, police and education systems. “Now we are working on health and higher education and trying to raise their standard.”

He said the provincial government had set a precedent by holding a sitting minister accountable because he was involved in wrongdoing. Such a prompt and clear action against cabinet members could not be imagined in Punjab and Sindh.

The PTI chief said he would raise the Kasur sex abuse scandal in the National Assembly. “We will take part in the National Assembly’s proceedings and perform our national duty,” he said.

Mr Khan said the PTI had served to dent the traditional coercive system by delegating powers to elected representatives. People of Khyber Pakh­tunkhwa had elected 49,000 representatives who would spend Rs41 billion through their councils in villages and towns.

He said the PTI had delegated political and financial powers to the grassroots.

FEDERAL MINISTER: Speaking at a public meeting in Srikot, Information Minister Pervez Rashid said divisive forces were trying to destabilise the country but people knew that the PML-N was harbinger of development and prosperity.

He accused the PTI of pursuing negative politics.

He said “everyone was aware of plunder in the mineral and forest sectors in the province”.

He said that those within the PTI who dared to speak against the party’s top coterie had been shown the door.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2015

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