Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan said he would escalate pressure on the government to step out, or face a ‘civil disobedience movement’.
The party’s central executive committee will discuss various options to mobilise the public against the incumbent government, including a civil disobedience movement, at its next meeting on January 14, Imran said at a press conference on Tuesday.
The government has failed to resolve public issues, and “is backtracking on all accounts — economy, defence, good governance and its policies,” Imran said.
“We are considering large-scale strikes and acts of civil disobedience, including surrounding the President and Prime Minister houses,” Khan said.
The CEC would also discuss party’s internal issues, including nomination of office bearers, fielding of candidates in important constituencies and future strategy for kicking off a new campaign for registration of workers, Imran added.
“Over two dozen new members will be the part of the CEC from January 14,” a senior party leader told The Express Tribune. “Majority of them are former lawmakers who have recently joined the party,” he added.
Imran ruled out an alliance with Musharraf’s All Pakistan Muslim League in the next general elections. On his own support to the former president’s referendum, Imran said it was a mistake: “I feel sorry for this wrong act.”
He also confirmed his contacts with former Sindh home minister Sindh Zulfiqar Mirza but rejected reports about contacting Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain and Fatima Bhutto.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2012.
COMMENTS (46)
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That infact is the need of the hour.... Go Immi... God willing we shall make an equitable and a just Pakistan.
Comrades, prepare for battle
@John B: Apologies but it seems you don't have any regard for the country itself and the people of Pakistan. You have no idea what Pakistan is going through and yet - you come up with your disrespectful statement - I am very disappointed.
yes! civil disobedience will lead to prosperity, more gas and food for the masses. Can you please hold it on a weekday? Thanks !
We already have civil disobedience for 64 years ! 98% dont pay taxes, 36% dont pay their bills and steal utilities, most of us dont follows traffic rules, we all use pirated softwares, most of the public and private institutes dont follow legal bindings. What else does Imran want?
we love you IK.. you are the best and hope of pakistan youth. we are with you..
Direct Action Day! 1946, 2012.
@Shayan: Have you watched the press conference of 3rd January, in which he said all this ? Listen to him carefully, He has answered you question !
Fatima Bhutto with Imran Khan...deadly !
Is it good for the country? This should be the prime question.
The current electricity shortage, sectarian violence, trouble at the Afghan border, inflation, and issues with the US are not going away even if the present government resigns.
A good politician should work within the system.
.@Majid Khan: ............. PTI is the only party who has been and still is keeping the War at the fore front of every forum. Imran has a solid position on the war and he represents a vast majority of Pakistanis in this matter. As far as solutions are concerned, unfortunatley once again PTI is the only party with any insight of the issues we as a society have to deal with. I dare you to give me one name of a party or an individual who have the brains or time or whatever it takes to discuss health, education, poverty, foriegn policy, economy, social justice and many more like PTI does.
It looks like Imran Khan wants to thwart the democratic process before even coming into power. Demanding that the government should quit before completing its term is tantamount to subverting the democratic process.
A 'Civil Disobedience' movement, right after a 'Military Disobedience' movement (la Memogate) is just what Pakistan needs.
@Majid Khan I think you live on another planet.Pakistan army hasn't got any success in trible areas.Atmost, it has done the holding job.Instead, it has turned the 6 million tribesmen against itself which has made the rest of Pakistan a hell.Imran khan has always advocated for peaceful solution of the problem and US is also havig peace talks with Taliban. Pakistan has nothing to do with this war on terror.This war has radicalized Pakistani society and created more divisions in our society.How many suicide attacks were there in Pakistan before 2004? Virtually no one! Me and my family live in Pakistan and we donot want this war on terror to continue.If you like this war so much, then go to trible areas of Pakistan and fight alongside Pak army or else go to Afghanistan and fight alongside US and NATO.
Imran Khan you are the biggest SCAM Pakistan has ever seen !!!!
Only enemies of Pakistan can think of civil disobedience. After civil disobedience, next step would be military disobedience, which is the real goal of our enemies. Opposition should resign from parliament and if government holds bye elections, then defeat all government members with big margin. Winning seats is the only way to remove any democratic government. Those who have not a single seat in parliament should focus on winning few seats.
how is it that imran khan says he contacted such corrupt politicians as zulfiqar mirza, but president musharraf, an honest and patriotic man who tried to serve his country, is a big no-no? imran is still an immature politician.
good luck imran khan i am with u go head thanks
All the way in Canada..I m spreading PTI's name..we r with u IK..
Instead of this movement try to establish the relationship with The People of Reural areas of Pakistan .this govt is on the Way of its bad end . PLZ PTI Needs more Support from reural areas . moblize the Teams of young And middel aged People in reural areas then it will Be real Revolution . Just educate These People about difference if Right And Wrong . U will have to bring out These people from there old 'Bradri System,These People r Looking for somebody to help them . Thanks Good Lücke
@awais: and wait for what? let this govt devastate whats left of this country?
Your Wish Is My Command, Just Say The Word & Witness The Greatest Force This Gov. Will Ever See....
wats required is not civil obedience as its already there...... wats required is military disobedience.......
This govt is trying to shoot itself in the head anyway,so no need for civil disobedience.Lets not try to give them any chance of becoming "shaheed"
Calm down just one year left. Don't give PPP another chance to become shaheed !! Its their last term ever
It will amount to adding insult to injury. The people of Pakistan are already suffering because of an acute shortage of basic necessities.
Nothing wrong with peaceful protest -- the big question is whether Pakistan can do anything on a large scale and keep it peaceful? If IK is half the leader you think it's something he is pondering right now.
how about instead of our usual disobedience against everything (work, timekeeping, red lights, taxes etc) we do a novel thing and actually follow the law for a year and have elections?????
I will follow you Imran
I have attended karachi jalsa. And will take part in many more but for the sake of democracry we cannot play into the establishments hands. Let them complete their term. That will also give enough time to prepare for elections
Please take action now, before it is too late and nothing is left...
Roger that
Gor for it.....
Go AHEAD with it Sir Imran .
what are you waiting for ???
at your service commander .....
I am in UK and we will support you from here. Even if we have to do a 'sit in' in front of Pakistan high commission in London, we will do it for the good of our country, I R of Pakistan.
terrible idea. let this current party's term run its course as it would in a real democratic country. if PTI wants legitimacy and a honourable ascent to power, this is the minimum pre-requisite. otherwise history will see PTI's birth as just more politicking, just more of the same. should PTI come to power, and there is no guarantee of that, what is to stop PPP and PML-N from engaging in 'civil disobedience' and holding the government at gunpoint? you can't build an institution by destroying its foundations.
Vote for PTI
Youth is with you, we will obey your all orders, we are waiting for your commandments.
We are with you Immy K.