Imran displeased with ECP over Gulalai verdict

KARACHI: Expressing displeasure over the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for dismissing the party’s plea to deseat Ayesha Gulalai, an estranged MNA of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan termed the commission’s decision in her favour as ‘unconstitutional’.

Speaking to media here today, he asked how a member who violates party discipline could remain its part. According to the country’s constitution, he said, the one who disagrees with party policies removed from the seat.

He clarified that his statement did not mean the party was against the ECP.

Commenting on America’s repeated demands from Pakistan to do more, he said the country had already done more in the war on terror, including sacrificing over 70 thousand people.

Pakistan’s participation in America’s war had cost Pakistan dearly, destroyed its economy and increased insurgency in Pakistan, yet America was asking the country to do more, the PTI chief said.

Replying a question, PTI chief said Sindh was far behind other provinces because its rulers were not spending public money on the province.

Turning his guns on the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Khan said its co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari was the biggest disease of the province.

Had the provincial government spent money on the welfare of the province, the situation would have been different today, he said.

He welcomed the high court’s decision to revoke PPP leader Sharjeel Memon’s bail, landing him in jail in more than Rs5 billion corruption case.

He hailed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman’s decision to launch inquires into cases involving multi-billion of rupees, including alleged corruption in Multan Metro Bus project.

Former PM Nawaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar borrowed big loans in the country’s history, the PTI chairman claimed, adding that Pakistan’s economy was showing downward trend, industries were shutting down and unemployment was on rise.