Imran Khan vows ban on VIP protocols in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

LODHRAN (Staff Report) - Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has called for a ban on stopping traffic for VIP protocol in the country.

Expressing remorse over the death of 10-month-old Bisma in Karachi due to Bilawal Bhutto’s protocol measures, Imran Khan announced he will make sure traffic is not halted for any VIP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

We'll be making a decision soon in KP assembly against the VIP culture & protocol, No traffic will be blocked anywhere #IKThanksLodhran

— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 24, 2015

“I will meet KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak in this regard. Traffic will not be stopped for any VIP protocol, even if it is the prime minister. We will start change from KP,” he said while addressing a large public gathering in Lodhran on Thursday.

KP govt formally announces to end VVIP protocol across the province, says no more road blocks, traffic jams for any VIP @PervezKhattakCM

— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 24, 2015

Khan, who was in Lodhran after a landslide victory by his party’s Jahangir Tareen in NA-154 by-polls against PML-N’s Siddique Baloch, said: “If you are so afraid to die, then stay home.”

If anyone is so scared about their lives that they need to block road then better stay back home @ImranKhanPTI #IKThanksLodhran

— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 24, 2015

10-month-old Bisma died on Wednesday when her father remained unable to enter Civil Hospital due to security measures in place for the arrival of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, CM Qaim Ali Shah and other leaders.

Read: Bilawal Bhutto’s security protocol ‘kills’ 10-month-old Bisma

Imran Khan also urged the masses to unite, just like the entire nation had united in the fight against terror after the APS Peshawar attack, after the death of Bisma to fight elaborate protocol for VIPs.

#Bilawalinfantkiller: Twitteratis show anger and grief over minor’s death

He criticised the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) for trying to threaten the Karachi operation to safeguard their “militant wings” and “corruption.”

Imran Khan also thanked the people of Lodhran for “supporting the cause of justice.”

I want to thank the people of Lodhran for your support in helping us make Naya Pakistan,we'll never forget it @ImranKhanPTI #IKThanksLodhran

— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 24, 2015

“You refused to accept the government's Rs2 billion bribe via the farmers' package,” Imran told the crowd. “We will never forget the people of Lodhran.” He also urged the prime minister to ensure that the people of Lodhran get the Rs2b he had promised them before the by-poll.

Read more: PTI’s Jahangir Tareen wins NA-154 Lodhran by-polls

The PTI chief questioned why the PML-N lost by a wide margin of 40,000 votes in the Lodhran by-poll but won local body polls comprehensively in the district.

“The by-poll was conducted under the army's check but the local government elections were conducted by PML-N patwaris and bureaucrats.”

I ask Chief ECP if its Pak army's job to ensure free and fair election or yours? @ImranKhanPTI #IKThanksLodhran

— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 24, 2015

Imran Khan also urged the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to ensure justice was delivered in the NA-122 case, which will go to hearing on Dec 30.

“With all due respect, we want to know how 26,000 new votes were added to the constituency when there were only 812 new votes on the record.”

Following the Lodhran victory, Imran asked his workers not to “give up the fight against status quo”. “There will be ups and downs in this fight against status quo but never give up,” he said.

“You have a huge responsibility on your shoulders; I will not give up, I also ask you not to.”
Elaborating on his agenda, Imran said they will build a Pakistan with an ideology supporting human lives and end status quo, adding mere politics was not their agenda.