Imran to dissolve Punjab, KP assemblies on 23 Dec

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday announced the dissolving of the assemblies of the provinces where they rule — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab – on December 23, reported The News International. Imran made the announcement in a video address with Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan by his side.He said, “I will sacrifice my government in the country till the elections are held. We are all afraid that the country is sinking. I live and die in Pakistan. ” The PTI chief reiterated his demand for free and fair elections, warning the country might sink otherwise.”Once we dissolve both the assemblies, we will hold elections in the provinces. Also, our 123-125 National Assembly members — whose resignations have not been accepted — will ask the speaker inside the assembly to accept their resignations,” he said.Elaborating on the PTI’s plan of action after dissolving the assemblies, Imran said, “Then we will prepare for elections after that and our around 130 seats in the National Assembly, we will go to the NA speaker and demand him to accept our resignations instead of picking a few.” Imran told the nation to refrain from being disappointed, saying it was akin to “running away from our duty to society,” reported Dawn.He said a “lesson should be taught through elections” to the government and deal it “such a defeat that the names of these thieves are wiped out forever”.He said the country would “stand up” when “tough decisions” would be taken, not about increases in prices, but, “restructuring institutions and establishing justice in the country”.Imran started his address by bemoaning the current economic situation of the country and contrasted that with his government’s performance. Imran said a government with a fresh mandate and the nation’s support behind it would be able to raise its stature, reported Dawn.At the outset of his address, Imran said the country needed “fresh and fair elections as we fear the country is drowning.”