Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that it is imperative to evaluate President Asif Ali Zardari's ability to discharge his duties in the wake of his recent illness He expressed these views while talking to media outside Allama Iqbal International Airport on Tuesday.
While praying for the President's health, he said it has to be ascertained whether his (Zardari) health will allow him to continue his duties as President of the country. To a query, he said that present government has lost its mandate after failing to fulfil promises made to the masses. He also criticised the opposition party (PML-N) for not playing its due role. "Had it rejected the NRO, mid-term elections would have taken place," he added.
Imran reiterated his stance that Pakistan should quit the US war on terror at the earliest, which is damaging the country. He observed that only certain quarters were benefiting from the ongoing war. "The only way to control terrorism is to stop fighting the American war," he added. Khan ruled out participation of PTI in the forthcoming bye-elections in Multan.
When asked why Omar Cheema, PTI central information secretary was replaced by Shafqat Mahmood, he said, "a party office is only given to a deserving person; no party office is permanent, including the post of chairman," he dilated. Later, he addressed a press conference wherein former PPP MPA Haji Karmat Ali Khokar and his colleagues announced their joining of PTI.
He said that he would announce a programme for a new Pakistan in the Karachi public meeting on December 25 this year. He said the time has come for a change in the country. "We will make policies that will focus on 50 percent underprivileged population and not one-percent privileged class," he added. Imran vowed that the PTI would only promote merit and not family politics. He maintained that his party would give tickets only to neat and clean people and the party will show zero tolerance for people involved in financial malpractice. He welcomed former PPP MPA Haji Karmat Ali Khokar to the party fold and added that the new entrants would not regret their decision to join-PTI.