Imran Khan's Terror Pledge: Cricketer-turned-politician says Pakistan won't let terrorists operate on its soil

'After the next elections we will get a government in Pakistan that can take big decisions', said Imran Khan, chief of Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf party

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former cricket captain Imran Khan expects to sweep the next general elections in Pakistan and has said this will bring a sea change in the country, including civilian control over the army and its powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Delivering the gala dinner keynote address for Agenda AajTak, Khan said as Pakistan is facing economic bankruptcy, "the military can't solve the problem and it realises this". 

The army and the ISI, he said, want a new government that enables the nation to stand on its two feet. "When a politician has moral authority, the military cannot stand before him." 

This was shown by the experience of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in the 1972-1978 period, and the more recent experience of Turkey, he said. 

This is the first time that the proceedings at a conclave of this stature were was conducted in Hindi. 

The central theme of Khan's address was 'Chhodo kal ke baatein' - forgetting the past in India-Pakistan ties and moving to a better future and the creation of what he called "naya (new) Pakistan." 

Asked about the issue of terrorism and Hafiz Mohammed Saeed moving freely in Pakistan, Khan said he did not know of any Pakistani who did not condemn the Mumbai attacks. 

But, he said, the rule of law had to be applied in the case of Saeed because "civilised society believed in the due process of law". 

It was in this context that he opposed Osama bin Laden's killing. 

Khan exuded confidence that his party would sweep the next elections. Once in power, he asserted, he would "within three months" ensure that Pakistan does not permit terrorists to operate from its soil. 

"Inshallah, after the next elections we will get a government in Pakistan that can take big decisions," he declared. Asked how he could end terrorism in 90 days, he said the root of the issue was 'jihad'.