Finishing up his party’s election campaign on Friday which saw him addressing gatherings in Faisalabad and Lahore, PTI Chairman Imran Khan reiterated the claim to clean sweep the by-poll in 20 constituencies, dubbing his opponents as corrupt and toadies who worked in league with the US to oust Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government in April.
The former prime minister picked Lahore’s three constituencies (PP-167, 168 and 170) for the final day (Friday) of electioneering. He quoted different surveys and said the PTI has already won the by-polls in all 20 constituencies with the majority.
He, however, claimed Mr X has deployed Mr Y (the terms he did not explain) to rig the election. The Election Commission of Pakistan, the PML-N and the Punjab Police are also active to defeat the PTI candidates, he added.
“Don’t try to push us to the wall. If rulers would be imposed against the will of the people, Pakistan could become Sri Lanka,” a visibly angry Khan said, indirectly targeting the military establishment for their “neutrality” when, according to him, the US was imposing an “imported government” in Pakistan. “I ask them [establishment] if they will keep their neutrality intact when the country is in danger.”
He told his supporters to remain vigilant on polling day and win the “war for freedom of their country.” These elections, he said, are not merely elections but a battle amongst true freedom seekers and “slaves of the US” – the Sharif family and his other political opponents.
He criticized the Supreme Court’s detailed decision on Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri’s ruling. “A judge of the top court suggested trying me under Article 6. I want them to go ahead. At least I will be free to tell the courts about all the characters behind the conspiracy hatched against our government if they try me under sedition charges.”
He added he was quiet for some reason and could break the silence if the treason charges were imposed against him. In his address to workers and supporters in Faisalabad, Imran’s messaging continued to centre on his criticism of the “corrupt” coalition government and his claims of the “US-backed conspiracy” to oust his government, peppered with cricketing euphemisms. He said he would face his rivals “till the last ball” and insisted his party would emerge victorious in the by-polls.
