ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to launch countrywide election campaign from April 19, 2018 after its Lahore’s public meeting. The PTI spokesman said that the decision to this effect was made during the meeting of party’s core group meeting held under the chair of party chief Imran Khan, at Banigala, Islamabad. Sharing the details of the meeting, the spokesperson stated that PTI would launch the countrywide election campaign from April 29, after a grand gathering in Lahore. Moreover, during the meeting it was decided to nominate Azam Swati as candidate for opposition leader in Senate. “Nomination of opposition leader in Senate is PTI’s right,” the spokesperson said. PTI expressed concerns over government’s representative statement about privatisation of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) and Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM). “Dr. Arif Alvi is directed to contact PIA and Steel Mill unions. Furthermore anti-corruption cell of PTI is also directed to reveal corruption scandals in Punjab,” according to the spokesperson. The spokesman said that PTI had made it clear that it won’t accept PIA and steel mill’s privatization, terming it a matter of national importance. He added that it was a very serious matter and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) should leave it to the coming government. He alleged that the Punjab government was involved in massive corruption just like the federal government. He said that the PTI’s anti-corruption cell would keep a check on development projects in Punjab to reveal the ruling elite’s corruption and make them accountable before the people. In the meeting, the successful membership drive was lauded and central leaders were directed to visit different regions. Published in Daily Times, March 17th 2018.