No power can stop me from protesting on Nov 2, claims Imran

Is this a democracy or a kingdom, PTI chairman questions Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has claimed that neither the police nor the government could stop him from holding a protest in Islamabad on November 2.

"Try stopping me if you can, you will be unable to stop a flood of people on November 2," Imran told reporters on Friday, questioning if the country was being run by democracy or monarchy. “I ask Nawaz Sharif if he is a king or a democratic leader as he has resorted to violence and arrest of PTI workers, flouting Islamabad High Court orders.”

Even if they arrest me,It doesn't matter to me or to r workers.We wil comeback even stronger- IK
Donate for Nov 2 at https://t.co/ALcUXP3ccR pic.twitter.com/Zor4p3i1vh

— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 28, 2016

He added, “I want to tell the judiciary that they are on trial. Their orders are not being implemented". Addressing the prime minister, Imran said he will fight for Nawaz’s accountability “till I breathe my last”.

The PTI chief warned the police against resorting to any illegal means. “We will put all those in jails who resort to violence and illegal practices along with the two brothers,” he said, referring to the Sharif brothers.



The prime minister is under growing pressure from opposition parties over his children's offshore bank accounts, revealed in the Panama Papers leak.

Imran led a previous mass protest in the summer of 2014 that lasted four months, allying himself with populist cleric Tahirul Qadri to back a sit-in in front of parliament calling for the government to resign over election rigging allegations.

The new protest plan comes at a sensitive time for Nawaz, with Supreme Court due to start hearing a case about the Panama Papers revelations on Nov 1.

PTI workers attacked in Gujranwala

According to Express News, PTI workers were allegedly attacked by the ruling party in Gujranwala. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) members threw eggs on the marching PTI workers.

Earlier, as PTI and Awami Muslim League (AML) vowed to go ahead with their planned protests against the government, police and opposition activists clashed at Rawalpindi's Committee Chowk near the Lal Haveli residence of Sheikh Rashid.

SCREENGRAB

Police charged stone-throwing protesters with batons and fired tear gas at the supporters, who had come out on the streets to demonstrate against arrests made the previous night after authorities banned all public gatherings in the capital for two months.

The exact number of arrests could not be confirmed, but a PTI spokesperson said 43 workers arrested on Thursday night were still in detention while others had been released.

Police officer recovers from the blowback of tear gas during clashes in Rawalpindi, October 28, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Sheikh Rashid arrives at Committe Chowk on motorcycle

Tricking police, the AML leader arrived at Rawalpindi's Committee Chowk to address his supporters on a motorbike. "Arrest me I am right here and ready," Rashid said, addressing his supporters.

Ab jo hoga woh 2 nov ko hoga
Aaj to trailor tha asal film 2 nov ko chalaingay.

— Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (@ShkhRasheed) October 28, 2016

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Rashid claimed Rawalpindi police arrested his driver and guard. The arrests came hours before the party’s public meeting.



Islamabad administration urges PTI to respect Section 144

The Islamabad administration has sent a letter to PTI chief coordinator Colonel (retd) Younus Ali, urging PTI leaders and workers to abide by the law and not to violate Section 144 imposed in the capital.



The letter, available with The Express Tribune, stated that PTI workers were organizing rallies - a clear violation of Section 144. Some leaders are also moving in the city with armed guards, the administration added.

PTI leaders hold crucial huddle at Bani Gala

Earlier, senior PTI leaders, including Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Jahangir Tareen, Asad Umar, Sheeren Mazari and Aleem Khan, held a crucial meeting with the party chairman at his residence in the capital.

Sources said the meeting discussed a strategy in wake of the harassment of PTI workers, who are being stopped from entering into Islamabad to take part in the party’s upcoming sit-in in the capital.

A boy holding a flag walks past trucks, used to block a venue of a planned protest gathering organised by AML. PHOTO: REUTERS

PTI chief has warned officials that arresting him would only enrage his supporters and bolster his party's resolve to lock down Islamabad.

Authorities have blocked main roads leading to the Rawalpindi rally with shipping containers. The rally site has also been obstructed by trucks and containers, blocking PTI supporters from gathering en masse.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Ahmed said PTI would need a permission in the form of a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) if it plans to host any events, including Wednesday's shutdown strike.

"You need an NOC for anything - whether its a media function or a marriage function. Even for a birthday party of more than five people, you need an NOC," he said.

Imran has said next week's protests will bring a million people to the streets, claiming the sit-ins would force the closure of schools, public offices and the main international airport.



PTI workers stage sit-in outside Sindh governor house

Several PTI workers led by MNA Dr Arif Alvi, MPA Khurram Sher Zaman and other party leaders staged a sit-in outside Sindh Governor House to “protest against violence on their workers in Islamabad”.

PTI Karachi peacefully protesting in Karachi. pic.twitter.com/9GqT3iESY0

— PTI Karachi Official (@PTI_KHI) October 28, 2016

“Sindh governor is a representative of the federation and we have come here to hand him over a memorandum,” Alvi told media men.

Background

At the center of Imran's latest challenge to Nawaz's government are leaked documents from the Panama-based Mossack Fonseca law firm that appear to show that Nawaz's daughter and two sons owned offshore holding companies registered in the British Virgin Islands. Sharif's family denies wrongdoing.

Holding offshore companies is not illegal in Pakistan, but Khan has implied the money was gained by corruption.

Imran acknowledged in May that he used an offshore company to legally avoid paying British tax on a London property sale.

'Pakistan... a developed country'

The ruling party has dismissed Imran's plans to shut down Islamabad as a desperate move by a politician whose popularity is waning ahead of the next general election, likely to be held in May 2018.

"Pakistan is going towards becoming a developed country, and the opposition is worried that if this system of development continues until 2018, then by then their politics will be finished," said PM Nawaz at a gathering of party workers on Friday.

Infant dies

Meanwhile, according to reports, an infant breathed his last as a result of teargas shelling used by police against protesters in Rawalpindi.

Shocked & saddened by death of 3-day old child due to shelling by govt in Committee Chowk. Punjab govt solely responsible for this tragedy.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 28, 2016

Imran expressed shock over the incident. “Shocked & saddened by death of 3-day old child due to shelling by govt in Committee Chowk. Punjab govt solely responsible for this tragedy,” Imran tweeted.