Imran Khan
Addressing his first press conference after his party PTI emerged as the single largest party in Pakistan general elections, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan on Thursday said that he is in favour of good relations with India but added that Kashmir was the core issue between the two countries which needed to be resolved at the earliest.
Advocating more trade between the two countries, Imran Khan said that it will be beneficial for both the countries. The PTI chief said that he was disappointed to see that the Indian media portrayed him like a Bollywood villain in last few months.
Imran further said that he'll not live in PM house and convert Governor Houses into hotels.
Imran Khan said that Pakistan is willing to improve its ties with India and pointed out that the blame game between the two neighbours is detrimental to the sub-continent.
"If they take one step towards us, we will take two, but at least need a start," Imran said after leading his party to victory in the general elections held on July 25.
Khan said Kashmir is the "core" issue between the two countries and it should be resolved through talks.
"I am a person who arguably knows the most people in India because of my days in cricket. We can resolve the poverty crisis in South East Asia. The biggest problem is Kashmir," he said, suggesting that the two sides should come to table to resolve it.
"We want to improve our relations with India, if their leadership also wants it. This blame game that whatever goes wrong in Pakistan's Balochistan is because of India and vice versa brings us back to square one," he said.
"This is not how we will grow, and it is detrimental to the sub-continent," he added.
Watch: Imran Khan addresses press conference after his party's electoral success
Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf emerged as the single largest party in the National Assembly on Thursday with its candidates winning 76 seats and leading in 43 others according to the latest unofficial results and trends in the parliamentary polls, amid rival political parties' claim of "blatant" rigging.
Jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won 43 seats and was leading in 20 constituencies while Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led by former president Asif Ali Zardari won 18 seats and its candidates were leading in 19 seats.
A single party will need at least 137 of the directly elected seats to be able to form the government on its own.
Highlights: Imran Khan's Press Conference
# More trade between India and Pakistan will be beneficial for both countries.
# Kashmiris are suffering for long. We have to solve Kashmir issue by sitting across the table, If India's leadership is willing then the both of us can solve this issue through dialogue. It will be good for the subcontinent also
# Kashmir core issue between India and Pakistan, we need to resolve it
# I am one of those Pakistanis that wants good relations with India, if we want to have a poverty free subcontinent then we must have good relations and trade ties
# Disappointed with the way Indian media portrayed me in last few month. They portrayed me like a Bollywood villain.
# We want a balanced, mutually-beneficial relationship with US
# We'll also learn from China how to tackle corruption
# We'll learn poverty alleviation methods from China
# We want good relations with neighbours
# Pakistan needs peace, stability
# We'll correct tax culture in the country. People's tax-money will not be stolen.
# I'll convert Governor Houses into hotels
# I'll not live in PM's residence
# We are witnessing the strengthening of democracy in Pakistan.
# The election process was completed successfully despite many terror attacks. I thank our security forces.
# We have to take China as an example as to how they developed their country.
# I came into politics because I wanted Pakistan to become the country that Jinnah had envisioned.
# This has been a historic election. I especially want to thank the people of Balochistan who despite terrorism came out in huge numbers to vote.
# We are witnessing the strengthening of democracy in Pakistan.
# We are witnessing the strengthening of democracy in Pakistan. The election process was completed successfully despite many terror attacks. I thank our security forces: Imran Khan,PTI Chief
# I thank god that I have got a chance to realise Jinnah's dream of Pakistan: Imran Khan
# I thanks Baloch for taking part in electoral process despite terror strikes.
# I thank overseas Pakistanis and others also.
# My govt will be for the downtrodden
# I would be sad if even a dog goes hungry in Pakistan
# I thank god, after 22 years of struggle, my prayers have been answered. I have got the chance to fulfill my dream and serve the nation: Imran Khan
