Daily Times

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday said that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman is just like a magnet which is drawn to power as he becomes coalition partner with every ruling party.

“Fazl-ur-Rehman is the magnet who sticks to anybody who gets into power,” the PTI chief said while addressing a public gathering in Bannu. He asked if the JUI-F chief who has long been chairman of the Kashmir committee with different governments had done anything for the Kashmiris.

Imran also berated Akram Khan Durrani, JUI-F MNA from Bannu, along Fazl for being part of the government of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is accused of billions of rupees embezzlement in the public exchequer. “When Akram Durrani asks you for votes you need to ask him questions. You ask Akram Durrani what did they do about the power projects they announced here? Ask him about where the allocated money was spent,” he said, adding that the PTI government built four micro hydel power projects in Bannu district and 300 micro hydel power projects in the areas where there was no electricity.

Imran, who will be contesting elections from NA-35 Bannu against Durrani, said that he would be contesting a ‘Pharaoh’. “The condition of Fazl and Durrani improved but Bannu’s condition is deteriorating,” he said.

Imran lamented that the condition of entire country has worsened as the US dollar has risen to Rs125.”When dollar rises against rupee, petroleum and electricity become expensive too. At this time in the sub-continent, electricity is most expensive in Pakistan,” he claimed.

Citing example of the education system in England, he narrated a story saying, “I want to tell you a story today, so listen to me carefully. I called on Aneel Musarrat, a young man from England. He was seven when his father died but he studied free in public schools there. Today despite having lost his father as a young child, he is one of the biggest tax paying businessmen of UK. Why? Because the UK government took his responsibility. This is the kind of system I want for Pakistan where even an orphan who has no support, when given an opportunity, should be able to reach the maximum of his potential.” Imran said for that reason he wanted to boost the status of government schools and that’s what the PTI did in KP in its government. “Pakistan’s system should be such that anyone who works hard should be able to get opportunities and grow in life,” he said.

The PTI chief said for the first time ever, a government thought about the next generations instead of next election and planted one billion trees in KP. “I’m contesting election with you, you make me win and I will not disappoint you. You pray to Allah that may the party that can eradicate poverty and bring respect to the green passport win,” he said.

Published in Daily Times, July 2^nd 2018.