Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has said that he is ready for simultaneous elections if Pakistan Democratic Movement dissolves all assemblies before May 14 date Supreme Court has set for Punjab’s polls.

Khan’s comments came as PTI and ruling alliance are set to hold “Final round” of talks today (Tuesday) over election date on instructions of apex court, but top leaders from both sides have cast aspersions over fruitfulness of negotiations.

Apex court has asked both sides to sit down and evolve a consensus for holding elections across country simultaneously after government refused to follow top court’s orders on releasing funds for Election Commission of Pakistan.

Government as two sessions were held last week between PTI and PDM delegations said that polls cannot be held right after budget, which is presented in June and proposed that they take place later. But PTI was insistent on early elections.

Massive response from Lahore for our May Day rally - & this was at the start. Rally gaining even more momentum now. Let this be a warning to those who are thinking of defying SC & Constitution. Our ppl will not tolerate the mafia violating SC orders & Constitution by running pic.twitter.com/dpwndF980E

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 1, 2023

“They [government] want to hold elections when they believe I will be out of their way. Their only aim is to take me out of way,” Khan said during an address to rally here. PTI Chief said government is making “Excuses” that it has to present budget and that “They think that they can trap us in their ill-intentioned-plan”.

Khan added that if government thinks that it can stall and PTI will wait, then they are wrong. “We will move court and demand elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.” PTI Chief said his party would put forth only one proposal in meeting today: dissolve all assemblies Sindh, Balochistan and national and head for polls before May 14. In Twitter message, Imran Khan said, Massive response from Lahore for our May Day rally and this was at start. Rally gaining even more momentum now. Let this be warning to those who are thinking of defying Supreme Court and Constitution.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 02 2023

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