Imran to Pak army chief: Conduct 2018 polls transparently

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has reportedly told Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa to ensure fair, free and transparent elections in 2018.

The Dawn quoted Khan as saying, "I met General Bajwa recently and told him clearly that we will not allow 2013-like polls in future."

The PTI chief said the meeting had taken place on his request.

Responding to a question as to why he had called General Bajwa a keen supporter of democracy, soon after meeting the army chief, Khan said "I told the army chief that democracy was not about holding elections but about conducting fair and transparent elections. I requested that army personnel be deployed outside and inside polling stations to foil the traditional rigging tactics used by the PML-N."

Khan had met General Bajwa earlier this month and discussed national integrity issues and security conditions prevailing in the country.

Khan had congratulated the army chief on his promotion and appointment.