...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is
Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
(PTI) Chairman Imran Khan
... aka
Taliban Khan, who who convinced himself that playing cricket qualified him to lead a nuclear-armed nation with severe personality problems...
has given three days' ultimatum to the Election Commission of Pakistain (ECP) to probe rigging in the general elections otherwise his party would launch protests across the country against the ECP.
Imran issued the warning through video-link in a presser held at a local hotel on Wednesday. He further said that PTI believes in continuation of democratic process and would cooperate with all political forces. He said that the PTI will play the role of effective and responsible opposition in parliament and would protect the rights of the people. He added that the ECP has failed to meet the expectations of the masses.
The PTI chairman said that NADRA has all the resources to verify the voters' lists. "Rigging has been reported from 25 constituencies across the country," he said, adding that it was the duty of the election commission to listen to the complaints of the people, otherwise they would lose faith in the democratic process. Imran further said that voter turnout in 2008 elections was 44 percent and 38 percent in 2002, but in the current general election people had came out and voted for change.
He said that the people are themselves protesting against rigging in the country and this was not a PTI decision. "We demand that ECP investigate rigging allegations in 25 constituencies, including NA-122 and NA-125," Imran said. He also asked the election commission to order recounting with thumb impression verification in six National Assembly constituencies, NA 122, 125, 110, 57, 154 and 239. He said that the PTI will form government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
... formerly NWFP, still Terrorism Central...
and would make it a model province. Imran admitted that "we have strong political differences with PML-N but we would work with all parties in the largest interest of the nation, especially on terrorism and other major issues".
The PTI chairman said, "It is the responsibility of the (election) commission to ensure free and fair elections. We have decided to move ahead to solve the problems faced by the country despite having differences." Imran said he has spoken to army chief General Ashfaq Kayani
... four star general, current Chief of Army Staff of the Mighty Pak Army. Kayani is the former Director General of ISI...
in this regard. The PTI, he assured, would play the role of a genuine opposition in the National Assembly. Imran vowed to cooperate with incoming prime minister
Nawaz Sharif... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
on terrorism and other major challenges. "We have decided that despite severe differences that we have, we will work together to resolve major national problems including terrorism," he said in his video message aired during the presser.
He harshly criticised Nawaz and the PML-N during the campaign for last Saturday's general election and had vowed to go into opposition. Nawaz pledged to work with Imran for the good of the country, after visiting the former cricket star in hospital on Tuesday. Imran is credited with helping to inspire 60 percent turnout at the polls, having galvanised the youth and urban middle class in particular with promises to end corruption, introduce tax reform and stand up to the Americans.