Islamabad: Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan who is poised to become the next prime minister of Pakistan, has pledged to introduce polices for the masses and not for the ‘elite’.

In his victory speech on Thursday evening from his house in Bani Gala in the capital Islamabad’s suburbs, Khan shared his ambitious plans for the country and vowed to safeguard the interests of the ordinary people. “I will live humbly because I belong to the masses and come from you,” he said in a televised video message.

According to provisional unofficial results, Imran Khan’ PTI has won majority seats (118 until the last count) to be able to form the government without any majority political alliance. He needs 172 seats out of the total National Assembly seats of 342 which has 70 reserved seats including 60 for women and 10 for minorities. Election were held on 272 seats and he needed to win 137 seats out of it. With the help of independents and smaller parties, he is comfortably placed to form the next government.

“I am thankful to people of Pakistan for giving me a chance to realise my dream of ‘Naya (new) Pakistan — free of corruption,” said a visibly happy Imran who was clad in white shalwar kameez (national dress of Pakistan).

Imran also responded to the election manipulation and rigging allegations by the other major parties who lost elections. “I promise to provide you full assistance required to investigate such allegations,” he said. However, he made it clear, this was the most transparent election ever held in Pakistan.

Imran said that he did not enter politics to be in the power. “I want to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state ─ the type of state that was established in Madina, where widows and the poor were taken care of,” he explained.

He said the state of Pakistan is in shambles today and ‘I want to make policies for the less fortunate to prosper.”

He also pledged to introduce tax reforms and make institutions stronger. “Corruption will not be tolerated and the accountability start from me, then ministers and so on.

“We will make investment friendly policies and tackle the menace of unemployment. We will introduce the kind of governance system that has not been seen before in this country,” he said.

Meanwhile, there is a sense of jubilation and festivity across the country over the thumping majority the PTI has gained after its poor performance in 2013 elections.

This is a rare success as Imran Khan himself was not sure about it and only three days before elections he had expressed his concerns about a possible hung parliament in the country. “It would be pity if we have a hung parliament,” he had said.

Imran said the main focus of his policies will education, health, revenue generation, zero tolerance against corruption, investment, employment, agriculture, strong federation, measures to counter global warming and police reforms and women empowerment.

Imran has also promised to create 10 million jobs and build five million homes after coming to power.

According to the analysts, once euphoria of victory subsides PTI would have to deal with serious challenges facing the country.

Imran Khan contested election on five National Assembly seats and out of those he has won four while the result of one seat in Lahore is awaited.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is the runner-up in the National Assembly with 61 seats while Pakistan People’s Party could secure only 40 seats.

Imran’s victory speech promises:

Establishing friendship and trade ties with India

Reducing government expenses

Formulating polices for betterment of masses and farmers

Increasing tax revenue

Tackling unemployment

Strengthening institutions

Holding accountability

Creating business and investment friendly environment

Formulating polices regarding ties with China, Afghanistan, Iran, US and Middle East