Imran spurns gesture, asks Prime Minister to step down for fair probe

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has rejected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's offer of constitution of a three-member commission of Supreme Court judges and said that it will only be accepted after the resignation of the PM. Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, he was of the firm view that the commission cannot independently audit the elections because everyone is influenced by the government.
"As long as Nawaz Sharif was in power, even a commission comprising Supreme Court judges cannot work independently," he added He said they have full confidence in the Chief Justice of Pakistan and hence the judicial commission and a caretaker set-up should be constituted under his supervision. He also demanded resignation of members of Election Commission of Pakistan, which he believed failed to deliver. "Under the new set-up, all those involved in poll rigging should be held accountable," he added.
He said when they asked for an investigation into four constituencies, the government refused and now due to mounting public pressure the government showed readiness to probe the 2013 general elections through a judicial commission. "They knew that investigation into four constituencies will expose their vote rigging," he added. He showed his determination to go ahead with his plan regarding the scheduled 'Azadi' March on August 14. He said he will lead the rally to the capital at all cost and would not end the protest in Islamabad till their demands are met. He warned the government against erecting obstacles in their path. "If any untoward incident occurs on August 14, the government will be held responsible," he added.
He disclosed that he has received reports that the government will use people like 'Gullu Butt' in police uniform against them and they have informed the IG Punjab about it. He flayed Nawaz Sharif for promoting the culture of corruption and favouritism in the country and added that this is a war between democracy and monarchy. He alleged that Nawaz only chose people who worked for him and that the PM had rewarded all those who helped him in rigging the elections; all those who opposed him were either transferred or threatened. He said they want to create a 'new Pakistan' under which corrupt leaders will be held accountable and merit will prevail. Earlier, the PTI chief visited Data Darbar and laid a 'chadar' on the shrine. He was accompanied by the senior party leaders and a large number of party workers.