ISLAMABAD: In a complete departure from the line he had taken in speeches delivered from his container at D-Chowk for 126 days, PTI chief Imran Khan used the party`s `Dharna Convention` on Sunday to talk about `real change in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa` than simply criticising the ruling party.

A province-wide cleanliness campaign, increasing supply of potable water, improving the provincial environment by planting a billion trees over the next five years, effective local government and introduction of sweeping changes in government hospitals and universities constituted the PTI chief`s stated plan of action for KP.

`With the dharna over, Pm free now to focus on the KP government and make it a model province,said a visibly relaxed PTI chief.

The speech was unlil(e those from his days at the D-Chowk, where he was often seen waving clenched fists at the government. He also spoke at length about improving the lives of the people of tribal areas.

Arguing that the PTI didn`t want to divide the nation at a time when the government was busy fighting a war against terrorism, Mr Khan said that he would stick to his demand for the constitution of a judicial inquiry commission to investigate allegations of rigging in the last general elections. `Fm sticking to my stand that the elections were rigged, and hence need to be investigated by the judicial commission.

However, Mr Khan`s words lacked the firmness that most observers have grown accustomed to and the main thrust of his speech on Sunday was showcasinghow the KP government had depoliticised the police and taken necessary steps to improve the working of the provincial bureaucracy.

`If need be, I can ask you again to shut the country down,` Mr Khan told participants at a marquee in sector E-11. The crowd obliged, responding with chants of `Go Nawaz Go`.

Commenting on the visible change in Mr Khan`s stance, in an off-the-record conversation, a PPP member of the National Assembly said it seemed that the powersthat-be had categorically asked all political parties, including the PTI, to avoid confrontation. After the passage of the 21st amendment, the security establishment didn`t want political instability in the country, and Mr Khan`s adoption of a softer line towards the government was a clear indication ofsuchundercurrents.