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Thursday, April 19, 2012
Siachen pull-out should not be unilateral: Imran Khan* PTI chief seeks simultaneous pull-out by India, Pakistan
* Says rulers trying to pressure judiciary to conceal corruptionStaff Report
ISLAMABAD: The pulling out of troops from Siachen should not be unilateral, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan stated at a press conference, apparently referring to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif’s suggestion that Pakistan should take lead in pulling out troops from the region.
Khan has joined the chorus of voices for pulling out troops from Siachan Glacier, throwing his weight behind the demand by seeking demilitarisation of the area simultaneously by India and Pakistan. The PML-N chief said the war at Siachan was consuming precious resources of both the nations as well as adversely impacting environment. Over 100 Pakistani troops were buried when an avalanche hit their positions at the glacier. “Nawaz Sharif has a lot of resources to visit Siachan. We cannot afford to take a chartered flight to go there,” Khan replied when asked if he planned to visit the area. He however expressed sympathy with the victims and said he prayed for their safety.
About his public meeting scheduled for April 20 in Quetta, he said a rally in the city was a risk because of precarious security situation there, adding that his party had taken the risk to express solidarity with the Baloch.
“If mainstream political parties do not go to Balochistan, it would deepen the sense of deprivation in the province,” he pointed out. Speaking about NATO supplies and parliamentary recommendations, Khan said there was no guarantee of an end to drone strikes as well as no apology from the US over Salala attack. He said suicide attacks in the country had come to a virtual halt since the disruption of the NATO supplies.
The PTI chief dubbed corruption the biggest issue confronting the nation. The rulers were trying to pressure judiciary to conceal their corruption, he said. Khan also expressed disappointment over the performance of judiciary in tackling corruption cases.
He also brushed aside the notion that the PTI tsunami was dying down, saying, “What we see today in the form of PTI tsunami is only 30 percent of its actual potential.” On the occasion, Asad Umar, a leading name of the corporate world, announced joining the PTI.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk