PTI core committee discusses polls, political strategy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Core Committee Monday discussed threadbare the electoral and political strategy of the party pertaining to the forthcoming general elections in the light of vision of the PTI founding chairman Imran Khan.

During the meeting, the committee agreed to carry forward the party election campaign in a befitting manner in order to prepare the people for the polls while remaining completely peaceful and within the purview of the of the law and constitution despite the worst state oppression and fascism.

The participants of the meeting recalled that PTI had an unparalleled history of peaceful and disciplined political struggle. The forum underlined the need that PTI was well-aware of the ongoing efforts to postpone the elections, urging the party’s workers to prepare themselves for the upcoming elections while keeping a close eye on these attempts.

PTI Core Committee made it clear that the nation would foil all overt and covert polls sabotaging bids by the spoilers and miscreants and they would not allow any such attempt to succeed come what may. They emphasised that they would proceed with complete unity and would execute a comprehensive programme to pull the country out of the current economic and political hardships and would ensure supremacy of the constitution and uphold law after regaining the power again.

The forum urged that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the caretaker governments should shun the coercion and provide a level playing fields to all political parties for free, fair and transparent elections.

PTI Core Committee demanded the electoral body to issue the party’s election symbol bat forthwith while expressing satisfaction over the decision of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on the PTI’s appeal contesting the order of the electoral watchdog regarding the intra-party election.

The committee made it clear that the electoral symbol of bat was the political identity of millions of voters and emblem of strength of the Federation of Pakistan. The participants of the meeting stated that the inordinate delay in issuing the bat symbol to PTI was a matter of grave concern and the biggest hurdle in conducting free, fair and transparent elections.

PTI Core Committee vowed that the PTI would resist the biased, irresponsible and unacceptable efforts to irreparably damage the reputation of democracy by usurping the very symbol through technical and non-technical means.

Meanwhile, a high-level delegation of Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen (MWM), headed by Allama Raja Nasir Abbas called on PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan here. During the meeting, important issues regarding the country’s political situation, matters of mutual interest and cooperation between the two political parties and the future plan of action were discussed threadbare.

The meeting paid glowing tribute to Imran Khan, the founding chairman of PTI, who has been ‘unjustly imprisoned’ in Adiala Jail, for his bravery, courage, perseverance and unprecedented struggle for the supremacy of the constitution, upholding rule of law and the restoration and stability of the democracy in the country. PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan and PTI Chief Election Commissioner Advocate Niazullah Niazi were also present on the occasion.

Allama Raja Nasir Abbas congratulated Barrister Gohar Khan for assuming the responsibilities as the PTI Chairman after being elected unopposed in a free and transparent party’s intra-party election following his nomination for the slot by PTI Chairman-for-life.

In the meeting, they emphasised on the need for conducting free, fair and transparent elections in the country in order to ensure peaceful transition of power in the light of the will and intent of the people. They underlined the need for putting an end to the ongoing oppression and fascism in the country, besides allowing peaceful political activities and providing just and equal opportunities to all political parties so as they could participate in the elections in a cordial atmosphere.

The PTI and MWM were also unanimous in maintaining mutual consultation and contacts to further expand political cooperation. MWM Vice Chairman Syed Ahmed Iqbal Rizvi, political wing supervisor Asad Naqvi and in charge of Information and Broadcasting Syed Mohsin Shehryar were also part of the delegation.

Separately, reacting to the media talk of PPP’s Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his remarks on then PTI government’s policy regarding TTP, PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub alleged, “Bilawal Bhutto is lying: General (retd) Bajwa and Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed had briefed the parliamentary committee”.

He claimed Bilawal Bhutto supported his stand and did not criticize: ask the participants of this committee; The meeting was held in the National Assembly hall.