PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

Is IK running once again from electoral politics. What do they have in mind.. what alternate do they have. Do they have ultra constitutional agenda in mind. There is no legal/practical/constitutional way to dislodge Zardari unless he resigns himself as opposition parties do no have the required numbers to impeach the president.

In my opinion they can not change the system without becoming a part of the system. Any unconstitutional means like Musharraf took back in 1999 have proven to be disastrous in the long run. Is Imran Khan supporting this kind of action once again..

Mumtaz Alvi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday said it would not take part in the next general elections if they were held under incumbent President Asif Ali Zardari.

PTI Central Vice-President Rauf Hasan told The News here that the way the Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan elections were held was a glaring example of rigging and better results could not be expected if Zardari was in charge at the time of general elections.

“This is my personal viewpoint: that in the presence of Zardari, the PML-N should also boycott the next election,” Rauf, who is in charge of PTI’s Information and Media Wing, said. He explained that his party was keen on achieving some major objectives prior to going to the polls i.e. preparation of error-free fresh electoral rolls, registering those who had attained the age of 18 years, constitution of an independent Election Commission and a blueprint for an interim set-up to oversee the electoral exercise.

Rauf contended that it was imperative to ensure a fair-playing field for all political players before the next general election. In this connection, he referred to PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s demand made during the Lahore rally that all politicians declare their assets publicly. “Our demand is that all politicians must declare the billions of dollars stashed in foreign banks under benami,” he maintained.

Replying to a question, the PTI vice-president said if the status quo were to persist and general election were held under it, the objective to transform Pakistan into a politically and economically independent state would not be achieved. He said the party would hold deliberations shortly to discuss how the pre-election objectives of PTI could be achieved, but insisted the Supreme Court and PPP-led government also had a role to play in this.

Meanwhile, the PTI has decided to summon its CEC meeting within a week to chalk out future line of action after creating ripples on the political scene by holding the biggest rally in decades last Sunday. The final date of the forum’s session will be fixed on the return of PTI Chairman from China. He is expected back home on November 04.

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

Use public pressure to force formation of a (somewhat) neutral caretaker government which oversees the election process? He is not asking for 'immediate' removal of Zardari but not have him as president (an office which is supposed to be federal non-partisan to begin with) and chairman of a major political party at the same time whenever elections are held.

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

There is no provision in our constitution that president can be impeached using public pressure. Unless the president resigns himself or is impeached by 2/3rd majority by all the assemblies of the country, there is no other legal way to bring Zardari down.. Once again if Imran supports ultra legal ways it will be a disgusting attitude..

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

What is wrong with demanding Zardari resigns before elections and an unbiased government formed to oversee elections?

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

They have every right to demand that.. but it is Zardari's discretion if he accepts their demand or not. There is no legal/constitutional way for PTI/Imran to force their demand on Zardari.

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

If he does not accept their demand, they are not saying 'we would force him to leave'. They are saying 'we would boycott elections'.

Everyone knows how clean the elections would be under current government which cannot even appoint a muharrir in a thana in an unbiased way. This is a government where sitting ministers are telling tales of massive corruption of their counterparts in supreme court.

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

If they don't want to become a part of our political system in a legal manner.. then they have no right to criticize it also. In those circumstances it will be better for Imran Khan to resign from politics and become a professional critic of the government. Why are they fooling people with all these political activities.

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

Seems time is near for alliance of PML(N) & PTI on one agenda 'Go Zardari Go' & 'Jaan deo Jaan deo, sadi waari aan deo'

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

What is illegal about a neutral caretaker government only for elections process? Pakistan has had them before and it is a norm in many countries. With hand on your heart, just tell me one thing:

Do you believe elections held under current government will be transparent?

If your answer is yes, I would not argue with you anymore. You win. :)

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

Also this time there will be a care taker government appointed by the President of Pakistan like always. It is the discretion of the President as per the constitution of Pakistan to appoint care taker government, and in the past also these caretaker government were appointed by the President of Pakistan. There is no provision in our constitution to appoint a care taker President during the electoral process. PTI is demanding the removal of President without giving a legal road map about how this will be achieved. I think they want the establishment to put a gun on President's head and force him to resign.

You are presuming that there can be no fair election under the present elected President of Pakistan. I am afraid legal matters are not handled on presumptions. I respect your concerns/opinions and you have every right to express them.. but they are just opinions and the government do not function on someone's opinions..

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

I wonder what is illegal.

Not taking part in elections if you believe they are not going to be fair.

Unconstitutionally continuing to hold the office of president of Pakistan while being chairperson of a political party.

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

If true, this will be a dumb move that will show IK's lack of political skill.

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

If this happens it would be a big REPEATED mistake on IK's part esp when his support has increased alot.

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

I think pti should act as a pressure group in this regard but they shouldn't boycott the next elections. Because if they do that would be a political mistake on their part. I haven't seen this news in the other papers though.

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

To two hold two offices is legitimate or not is to be decided by the courts. The matter is pending in the court and they will decide it according to the prevailing law in the country.

As far as Ik boycotting the election is concerned.. it is not illegal. He has the right to boycott or take part in the election.

As far as him not taking part in the election after bringing us to his rallies and chanting slogans for him.. is like making a fool out of the us.. which is also not illegal.

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

The courts have already decided on the case.

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

They asked the President not to take part in the political affairs from the presidency. They did not declare him illegal.. whether he is abiding the court decision or not is again to be decided by the courts..!!!

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

so for whatever reason, PTI can boycott the elections again...

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

and the courts also declared:

"...Consequently, it is expected that the President of Pakistan would abide the foregoing declaration of law to disassociate himself from political office at the earliest possible...."

A blind person can see whether he is abiding by the court decision or not. Like a few other decisions by the courts, this would remain unimplemented. How can I expect transparent or fair elections in such a scenario?

Re: PTI: We will boycott polls under Zardari

He just said it doesnt mean he will boycott too

Im sure PTIl will take part