Imran Khan announces to consult his parliamentary parties & chief ministers to come out of all the assemblies
RAWALPINDI, Nov 26, (SABAH): Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has announced that he will consult his parliamentary parties and chief minister to come out of all the assemblies. Imran Khan said that his party will not become the part of the corrupt system. Imran Khan said his party’s “Haqeqi Azadi” march will not head towards Islamabad as he does not want to spread chaos and anarchy in the country.
“They [government] cannot afford Islamabad march… they cannot stop millions from entering Islamabad. We could have created create Sri Lanka-like situation,” Imran Khan said while addressing the party’s public gathering in Rawalpindi on Saturday.
But, he added that the party has decided to quit all legislative assemblies in the country in a bid to force the incumbent rulers to announce early elections. “If riots take place then things will get out of everyone’s hands. I tried my best not to take any step which could create chaos in the country,” he added.
“Today I am deciding against marching on Islamabad because we don’t want to spread anarchy in the country,” he announced. “We will not remain part of this corrupt system. We have decided to quit all legislative assemblies.”
Imran Khan said he had discussed the matter of stepping down from all legislative assemblies with the chief ministers and final decision in this regard will be announced after PTI’s parliamentary party meeting.
“Instead of causing harm to our country it is better to leave this corrupt system,” he added.
“When I was leaving for Rawalpindi from Lahore, everyone advised me against traveling due to wounds in my leg,” the former PM said at the start of his address.
Secondly, Imran Khan said his aides also warned him not to address the public rally in Rawalpindi as “three culprits holding top portfolios will attempt again to kill me”.
“Many prime ministers come and go but public never came out in such large number like they gathered here for me,” he added.
Imran Khan said there would be no difference between animals and humans if people of the country accepted the rulers who came to power through ‘NRO’. “No society can prosper where there is no rule of law.”
Imran Khan said overseas Pakistanis are standing with him because they are aware of the importance of the rule of law. “If Pakistan is in difficult situation today it’s not because we are short of resources but due to the absence of rule of law.”
Imran Khan said families like Sharifs and Zardaris are responsible for weakening Pakistan’s institutions in a bid to protect their “looted wealth”. “I felt ashamed when I had to ask for loans from other countries when I was prime minister.”
Despite all challenges including Covid-19, Imran Khan said his government successfully revived the country’s ailing economy. “What crime did we commit that our government was toppled through foreign conspiracy,” he asked.
However, Imran Khan admitted that he failed to bring powerful under the law. “Because NAB was under the control of establishment and they [NAB] told me that all cases were ready but they were not receiving orders from the top”.
“Establishment told me to focus on economy and stop pursuing corruption cases… they did not consider corruption wrong. Those who had power did not consider corruption bad.
“Establishment was not part of conspiracy but they did not stop their [then opposition] conspiracy to come to power.”
The former premier claimed that three shooters were deployed in Wazirabad for his assassination plot. “Mozzam was shot dead by third shooter… a third shooter was there to kill the [prime suspect] so that he does not open his mouth,” he said while likening attempt on his life to the assassination of late prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan.
Imran Khan said he criticised institutions including military establishment and judiciary because “I have to live and die here”. “My criticism of institutions is positive. I want to strengthen the defence of the country. This country is mine… army is mine.”
“I will fight for the country till the last drop of my blood. I want my country to achieve real freedom. History will bear witness that Imran Khan fought for the country till the last ball.”
He said the one who increased his assets and violated human rights will be judged by history as whether his actions benefited or caused harm to the country. “Freedom has to be snatched. No one serves it out on plate. My movement for real freedom will continue until we free our people from [slavery].”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Asad Umar admired the sacrifices made by the Pak Army. He was expressing his thoughts in his address to the participants of the long march, lamenting that in the matter of assassination attempt on Imran Khan, the FIR was registered as per Imran’s will. Asad stated that historic events are taking place in Pakistan and that the fate of the country would no longer be decided behind closed doors.
Like other PTI leaders, Asad Umar talked about Senator Azam Khan Swati and noted journalist Arshad Sharif, saying that appeals of both of them were sidelined, adding that the family of Arshad Sharif is waiting for the ‘deliverance’ of justice.
PTI leader Murad Saeed expressed his views, saying that the party’s leadership would prefer to remain ‘estranged’ if patriotism falls under insurgency.
Addressing the participants of the long march, Murad took a jibe at the government, accusing the rulers of treason, adding that whoever talks about the justice, subjected to the torture. He stated that the PTI leadership has pledged to fight both internal and external conspiracies.
Sharing his thoughts over the assassination of renowned journalist Arshad Sharif, Murad said that Arshad’s killers should be brought to justice. Talking about the gunfire attack, Murad said that even after the assassination attempt on the PTI chief, he [Imran] remained ‘flawless’.
Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday said that the masses of Rawalpindi feel proud to host Imran Khan.
Addressing the participants of the long march, Sheikh Rashid lashed out at the incumbent government over economic situation. Talking about the ouster of Imran’s government, the former federal minister said that the PTI-led government was toppled by purchasing the conscience of the lawmakers.
Vowing to overthrow the government through the constitutional way, Rashid berated Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, saying that Dar is lying over LC. He added that “I was silent for the past eight months, but I want to say today that the army is mine, the judiciary is mine. I am proud of my Pakistan Army.” He added, “We don’t want to fight. We [only] want to fight Shehbaz Sharif, the robber, Asif Zardari dacoit, and Nawaz Sharif, the absconder.
PTI senior leader and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry said that his party is optimistic about change in the institution.
Addressing the participants of the long march, Fawad asked the – rulers – incumbent government to accept the decision of the masses and announce the snap election. He challenged the rulers to ‘come’ and contest election, if they [rulers] feel that the masses are standing by their side.
Taking a swipe at PM Shehbaz Sharif, the PTI stalwart [Fawad] was of the view that the PM ran away to Turkiye due to Imran’s fear – as he came to know that the PTI is chief coming for the long march. Taking a jibe at PM Shehbaz [continuously], he asked PM to make his way to the Airport to meet the PTI leadership there.
Lamenting that the PTI’s mandate was snatched eight months back, Fawad made it clear that the people are not going to make their way back from today’s gathering as – according to him – it is the time to ‘rewrite’ history.