Aaj Tak India - Special Interview with Imran Khan

Pakistan is a rich, rich country: Imran Khan

PTI chairman describes his political vision, end of feudal and VIP culture, and his deep love for India. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE

Source:

By Kiran Nazish

Published: February 1, 2012

 

LAHORE: In 1995, when Imran Khan started his political career, he was not taken seriously.
In fact, he was not taken seriously for the next 15 years of his political career. He was hardly ever scandalised due to corruption scams like other politicians were; but that was mostly because he was hardly ever noticed. Throughout his career, he has spent most of his time doing two things: criticising other politicians and struggling to gain real political popularity. He has always been called the ‘cricketer’ turned politician – until October 30, 2010, when he created some significant seismic waves amidst the sea of people in Pakistan.
In 2002, he won his first seat in Mianwali. Later, he was offered a slot in another party but he declined and went on boycotting elections. If there is anything constant in his rather rocky career, then that would be (a) his TV appearances bashing other politicians – many of whom have now joined his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI); and (b) his stance on the need for ‘change’.
There are many celebrities in the PTI list – one of whom joined the day I went to meet Imran at his Lahore residence; the next day two more had joined. PTI is famous for welcoming discredited politicians from other parties. There is a rising ‘join the-PTI’ craze among the ‘Lotas’ as they say on twitter. Imran says, “They say funny things on twitter.” (Lota is a toilet utensil and symbol of PML-Q.)
A rickshaw puller told me, “I was going to vote for Imran, but I can’t anymore.” Why not? “He has too many Lotas now. I would still vote for him, if he lets go of the Lotas, and takes real people on board.”

Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (blog)

I will quit politics if proved ISI funded PTI: Imran

Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has said that he will quit politics if it is proven that his party has been funded by the Inter-Services Intelligence agency. 

source :

By Zainab Imam

Published: February 2, 2012

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has thrown down the gauntlet, that he will quit politics if it is proven that his party has been funded by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.
Ever since his party’s massive rallies in Lahore and Karachi, critics have questioned where the PTI is getting its money from. Many say it is an ‘establishment’ darling and is receiving funding from intelligence agencies.
“I will quit politics if proved that the ISI funded PTI (sic),” Imran wrote on micro-blogging website Twitter on Thursday.
Imran and other leaders from his party, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, have claimed that the party receives generous funding from overseas Pakistanis, like Imran’s other successful projects such as Namal College in Imran’s home constituency Mianwali and the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in Lahore.
Imran further wrote that his party will never allow the use of Pakistan Army against the country’s own people. “We need to stop this War on Terror which in effect is a war of terror orchestrated by the US (sic),” he wrote.

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