PM Khan says he will continue his struggle for Pakistan no matter if in power or opposition
In a hard-hitting speech and aggressive tone, Prime Minister Imran Khan clearly stated his resolve to continue his struggle for rule of law in Pakistan no matter if he is in power or in opposition.
Stating his determination that he will not be blackmailed or pressurized by opposition tactics, PM Khan said he is ready to seek a vote of confidence afresh from the National Assembly on Saturday.
Addressing the lawmakers, he said it is their democratic right if they do not want to support him and that he would respect their decision. “If you feel I am unable to lead, I will sit in the opposition. It won’t make a difference to me if I am not in power.”
PM Khan said that he is not afraid of losing power as he has no monetary interests and declared that no bargain or NRO will be given to corrupt elements despite their blackmailing.
“But whether I am in opposition, or outside the assembly, I will never let any of you go until you do not return this country’s money” the premier said in his message to the opposition joint alliance, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
The premier addressed the nation to explain the political situation after the March 3 Wednesday’s Senate elections in which PTI suffered a setback after losing a critical Islamabad seat to opposition candidate Yousaf Raza Gilani..
However, PM Khan said that losing one seat does not make a big difference as PTI has emerged as the biggest party in the Senate after winning 18 new seats, taking its strength in the 100-member Senate to 26 seats.
PM Khan questioned ECP’s role in Senate polls
PM Imran Khan said that Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had a huge responsibility to ensure transparency in the Senate elections 2021 but they failed in doing their job right and hence “discredited the country’s democracy.”
Lamenting the corrupt practice of buying and selling votes for the Senate seat, he said that his party favored an open ballot concept and sought the opinion of the top court which directed ECP to ensure transparency through the use of technologu.
“Why [the ECP] could not barcode 1,500 ballots?” when the Supreme Court asked to utilize technology to prevent curb practices, he asked. He called out the ECP for “protecting those who made money by holding Senate elections through secret ballot”.