Imran vows to unveil MQM leader Tahira Asif’s murderers

PTI chief says he will make important revelations in his Saturday's Azadi March address


Web Desk September 11, 2014

ISLAMABAD: As he counts down to one month of march and protests, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan announced on Thursday that he will reveal the names of those responsible for the murder of two parliamentarians: Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Tahira Asif and National Party's Handri Masih during their grand celebrations on Saturday.

In his address to ‘Azadi’ March participants at D-Chowk in Islamabad, Imran said the MQM MNA was allegedly killed for her support to minority communities whose lands were being usurped. He alleged that two MNAs and a police officer were involved in her murder.

“Investigations are still being conducted and I will disclose names of the culprits on Saturday," he said.

As it has now become a hallmark of his speeches, the PTI leader continued with his criticism of the Sharif brothers. Imran said that if recommendations for mitigating floods were acted upon, the Sharif brothers would not have to put on their gum boots and stand in high waters for ‘photo sessions’ in flood affected areas.

“The Meteorological Department warned the government of floods beforehand.”

He added that Islamabad did not need a Metro Bus worth Rs44 billion, but water reservoirs. “Farmers could have benefited if there were reservoirs instead of Metro Buses.”

Brushing aside the criticism that the deadlock had persisted only due to Imran's insistence on the premier’s resignation, he said he could spend another 29 days at D-Chowk.

“I have spent 29 days here, I can easily spend another 29 days here until PM Nawaz Sharif resigns.”

Imran claimed that people in Pakistan were not equal citizens since they had been deprived of their rights and it was very easy for the powerful to legally oppress the poor.

On the other hand, he pointed towards England where Pakistani immigrants who were initially discriminated against. But once they learnt of their rights, they stood up to demand it from the state.

“Today, those whose fathers went to the UK as labourers in the 1960s have become members of Parliament,” he said. “See Lord Nazir, his father went from Mirpur and today he defends the Muslim world, as well as Pakistanis.”

“My movement is to safeguard your rights and interests.”

The PTI chief though cleared any perception that he had personal enmity with Nawaz Sharif. “I have no personal enmity with Nawaz but my issue is the ideology with which he is ruling the country,” he said.

“It is against powerful oppressors who are above the law, as opposed to ordinary Pakistanis.”

“Why is Nawaz not willing to resign for a month, during which the Judicial Commission could probe May 2013 elections? It’s because Nawaz knows that he has rigged the elections.”

Imran repeated his refrain that unlike Abdullah Abdullah in neighbouring Afghanistan who had called for auditing the entire election, he had only asked for audit of four constituencies.

However, the PTI chief claimed the 'oppressors' had joined forces to protect their ‘political businesses,’ afraid that an audit will expose them.

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