Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI), Imran Khan announced that his party would stage a two-day sit-in on the Pak-Afghan highway on April 23-24 to block Nato supply to the Isaf forces stationed in Afghanistan, as protest against the US drone attacks in Pakistan's tribal areas.
Speaking at a news conference here on Thursday, Imran strongly condemned the US drone strikes inside Pakistani territory and also invited people from all walks of life to joint his party's sit-in against the attacks. Referring to the next general elections, he urged Supreme Court to ensure free and fair elections and suggested that the voter's picture should be displayed on the voters' lists.
He challenged all political parties that they can't defeat PTI in the next general elections if the apex court succeeded in ensuring free and fair elections. He informed the media that his party has filed a constitutional petition seeking the revision of electoral rolls and reform of the electoral process.
Giving details, he said that the recent revelation by the Election Commission of Pakistan that almost 44 percent of the registered votes are bogus has made the status of the present assemblies and the government dubious. "A government formed on bogus votes does not represent the people of Pakistan and nor can it be expected to protect the vital interests of Pakistanis," he said, adding that a 'political mafia' was ruling the country's affairs that gets elected through bogus votes. He said the only hope for a democratic change in Pakistan rests around an independent Election Commission and new electoral lists.
Khan stated that the purpose of filing the petition was to force the government and the Election Commission under the directives of the Supreme Court to prepare fresh electoral rolls eliminating all bogus votes and introducing and incorporating the new eligible votes that can be verified from the database.
He said that the petition also aimed at preparing the electoral roll in a manner that should include the name of a voter in such electoral area wherein his address mentioned on the CNIC of the voter exists and to introduce electronic voting machine for the use of voters in the future general elections. He said that it is essential that the right of franchise be ensured to the people so that to save Pakistan from a bloody revolution or complete chaos.
To a question, Imran criticised PML-N for protecting of the ruling PPP saying both parties have the same objectives to hoodwink people to gain their personal gains and remain in power. He said that his party would not make alliance with any political parties in future whose assets and money was deposited in foreign banks.