Express News screengrab of PTI Chief Imran Khan.
ISLAMABAD: Addressing the prime minister and his government on Saturday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan said that no matter what hindrances the government have put on the May 11 protest, PTI workers and supporters would attend it.
“When the Pakistan Muslim Leagure-Nawaz (PML-N) government is in power, they are more fascist than a military dictatorship,” Khan said.
“They [PML-N] only remember democracy when they are in the opposition," he added.
Khan alleged that the PML-N is lying about not causing hindrances in transport.
"I'm telling you, the media, go and ask the transporters what they are doing," the PTI chief said.
The Islamabad city administration has reportedly placed containers to cordon off the Red Zone of the city ahead of Sunday’s rally at Express Chowk. All four entry points of the Red Zone have been sealed.
Earlier on Saturday, PTI leader Dr Shireen Mazari also alleged that the Punjab government has been actively taking measures to prevent people from attending the PTI anti-rigging rally set to take place tomorrow in Islamabad.
Mazari, while speaking to Express News, alleged that the Faisalabad administration has closed down all bus stands, preventing people from travelling to Islamabad for the rally.
The decision was taken on Friday night in a meeting between traffic police and transporters, according to Express News. The administration reportedly advised transporters to halt bus services to Islamabad, Lahore and South Punjab and hence all bus stands have been closed since this morning.
Additionally, it was also reported that bus stands have been closed in Gujranwala, Multan and Faisalabad.
Mazari further claimed that she has received reports from Multan, Sargodha, Silakot, Mandi Bahauddin and Lahore regarding police pressurising bus drivers not to take PTI supporters to the rally.
According to her, obstacles were being created, pressure was being used and threats were being made to stop party workers and supporters from attending the rally.
"Our workers in Rawalpindi have been threatened by the police," she claimed. "Police and Intelligence Bureau are going to workers’ houses and harassing them."
She also said that bus owners who were hired to transport supporters to Islamabad have refused to do so claiming that government has threatened to cancel their permits if they provide transportation to PTI supporters.
However, despite these hindrances, Mazari was confident that workers will attend the rally. "Our workers believe in our cause and they will reach no matter what," she said.
Mazari said a caravan from Quetta was also en route to Islamabad and that no obstacles were reported so far. "A caravan from Dera Ghazi Khan has already reached Islamabad," she added.
The PTI leader said that the party workers will stage a protest wherever the government will try to stop their caravans.
Sharing similar views as Mazari, Vice Chairman PTI Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while addressing a press conference at PTI Central Secretariat in Islamabad, stated that the government is showing undemocratic behaviour ahead of the protest.
Government's stance
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah denied these allegations and said that they were baseless.
He claimed that bus stations were not closed and services were operational. “No restrictions have been placed by the government but no one will be allowed to enter with firearms as mentioned in the no-objection certificate (NOC) issued to the party,” he continued.
“Intelligence agencies have informed us of a security threat on the two rallies taking place tomorrow and placed them on red alert,” told Sanuallah.
Pakistan Awami Tehreek is also holding a demonstration in Rawalpindi tomorrow against alleged rigging in the May 11 general elections last year.
COMMENTS (44)
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@PML-N: Really? Has Pakistan benefited from nawaz sharif? I don't think so. The problem is that the people of Pakistan are either too thick or too weak to do anything about him. He is the most corrupt leader I've ever seen. When watching the news with my grandad all I ever hear about is load shedding. Does that sound like a good leader? Why don't you morons give Imran Khan a chance, he really does want to make a difference! Benazir Bhutto zaldari and nawaz sharif all corrupt and all evil, they just love to take every last penny from their country while they have the chance. The rest is up to the people of Pakistan if they want their lives to get better they should vote for Imran khan! Whatever you do it doesn't make a difference to me I live in London. But the people of Pakistan need to fight back and end all this corruption if they ever want their lives to improve.
@zahid: I urge all those who allege PTI of not performing to come to KPK and see.See with their own eyes the transformation that is taking place.Schools are being opened, Colleges/Unis, Hospitals, Dams being constructed; corrupt people being shown their place; police system being reinvented; and all of this in less than a year.
Recently the the Heath Drive where they vaccinated children from all over KPK. Their revenue was the highest among all provinces.Terror attacks are on an all time low.The police are being given power, corrupt officers being sacked and it does transform into results for all of us to see.The last few months have been the most peaceful months we have had here since forever.
But the most important aspect are the people.Go in the streets and ask people.I was in Peshawar a few weeks ago and people are happy. They said they were happy to roam out again in the streets on will,that their basic need are being taken care off.They are satisfied to a large extent.
So what more do you guys want??Remember it’s not been even a year since PTI took over.Yes, they have made mistakes and will continue to do so.But they are not angels.Those who expect them to be perfect are sure to be disappointed.For now they are on the right path.
Change takes time, dedication,handwork,support and sacrifice.It doesn’t come overnight.That is why it is so satisfying when it does blossom.
@SHAHEEN KHURRAM:
Only one thing i will ask you, how many KEEMA NAN did you get
@faisal: well i have been following up on imran khan projects, they seem more practical, for middle class and lower, long term
reviewed PLMN contribution + with all power and funds available initially they are giving benifits to people who will help them in the next elections:
1) Builders in Pakistan 2) Industrialist 3) Millitants
I hope and pray people become intellegent enough to realize who are their real friends and who are just using you as tissue paper.
@Ch. Allah Daad: It is these children who will lead Pakistan to the right path as majority of older generation like yourselves have let this country down over the years...You and those you have voted for have messed this country up.
@PML-N: wow, talk about limited vision
Those who oppose this protest say it's OK to rig elections, it's ok to put corrupt people time and time again so that they can do as much loot as they want while in power. If they can get by the rigging process, rest is so easy to manipulate. What a shameless illiterate nation. It's a high ground for corruption for more than 60 years and how long will it continue. Rise for Revolution or there is no other choice.
I wonder how many of these people are PML-N members commenting... :)
IMRAN KHAN + TAHIR ULQADRI - 2014
CHANGE.
IN SHA ALLAH.
Imran Khan has made a big mistake in trying to disrupt democracy with a dubious character like Tahirul Qadri who has already discredited himself. Tahirul Qadri will just fly abroad after his failed rally like last time but Imran Khan will lose credibility in Pakistani politics.
I urge all those who allege PTI of not performing to come to KPK and see.See with their own eyes the transformation that is taking place.Schools are being opened, Colleges/Unis, Hospitals, Dams being constructed; corrupt people being shown their place; police system being reinvented; and all of this in less than a year.
Recently the the Heath Drive where they vaccinated children from all over KPK. Their revenue was the highest among all provinces.Terror attacks are on an all time low.The police are being given power, corrupt officers being sacked and it does transform into results for all of us to see.The last few months have been the most peaceful months we have had here since forever.
But the most important aspect are the people.Go in the streets and ask people.I was in Peshawar a few weeks ago and people are happy. They said they were happy to roam out again in the streets on will,that their basic need are being taken care off.They are satisfied to a large extent.
So what more do you guys want??Remember it's not been even a year since PTI took over.Yes, they have made mistakes and will continue to do so.But they are not angels.Those who expect them to be perfect are sure to be disappointed.For now they are on the right path.
Change takes time, dedication,handwork,support and sacrifice.It doesn't come overnight.That is why it is so satisfying when it does blossom.
Y cant PTI leaders reach motorway and other spots I think police wont dare stop ppl then media should also cm to expose govt
@zahid: Why it is such a big crime for asking for re counting in just 4 constituency that the supporters of N league are ready to say history will not forgive him. It shows something is fishy and they knows it deeo within.
I think IK has no viable plan in his mind. He just wants to disturb the government as directed to him by establishment. History will never forgive him.
@kamran: "Pti stands against crupt culture " . But not against "crupted" culture of education. If the standard of education somehow improved PTI will be sorely missed.
Imran does not possess qualities of a good leader. The most important is that he does not respect the opponents. His arrogance and proud is also his weakness.
I dislike IK because he never respects self-respect of others. He blames others without any proof.
@ZAFAR: You cant criticize his personality. Its not important that a leader should have a fake smile plastered on his face. There was also your beloved Zardari who was a calm soul but was he a good leader and did he took Pakistan out of crisis? My point is that you should think without prejudice. In last elections, people voted for Nawaz Sharif and if they think that Nawaz Sharif was the right choice they will not come out on the streets with IK. Nawaz Sharif also has many flaws in his personality too. Its a long list but I will not go there because it isn't the right thing to do.
I voted for PTI with the hope that they will do some positive politics. I am sorry to say that they are worse than PML-N and PPP. PTI should leave this dharna style politics and do some constructive work. Economy has started giving some positive signals after many years. Political stability is the need of the hour for continued progress of economy. PTI should come forward and give good suggestions to federal government for betterment of country.
Allah bless Pakistan. Allah bless Nawaz Sharif.
THIS DHARNA IS JUST A WASTAGE OF TIME AND RESOURCES. PTI IS SPENDING BILLIONS OF RUPEES ON IT. THEY SHOULD SPEND THIS MONEY AT SOME PRODUCTIVE PLACE.
@PML-N: really? by borrowing billions at very high interest rates and not even trying to increase the tax collection.
Nawaz Imran Bhai Bhai!!!
protest is the essence of democracy...The truest test of democracy is in the ability of anyone to act as he likes, so long as he does not injure the life or property of anyone else. People in a democracy should be satisfied with drawing the Government's attention to mistakes, if any.
I am no fan of this Dharna or PTI but while travelling from Lahore to Gujrat today, i saw police capturing a lot of public transport. I remember when TuQ had his long march and PMLN ahsan rasheed was claiming on tv that no kind of hurdle is caused while i was stopped some 5,6 times by police and had to take a vow that i wasn't going for long march. How shameless are these so called leaders?
Way to go PTI! PTI is the only party standing up against corruption and corrupt leaders. Other parties are waiting their turn and will never oppose PLMN. PTI has brought major changes in KPK and I have seen this change personally. There's no corruption in KP govt anymore. KPK is leading anti-polio campaign in the nation. Major power projects have been started to remove load shedding. Tameer-e-school has been started and much much more.... On the other hand PLMN is only promising to do anything. So people, if you want your voice be heard, support PTI. All other parties have been tried and tested for the past 50 years.
Naya Pakistan, Inshallah!
I don,t know what kind of ik leader is with stretched and tense neck muscles, frowning forehead always looking angry, I have not yet read about a leader like these features have ever lead a nation out of crisis and have name in history making !
We fully support you All the best the G-d will grant you success because you have given so much to this nation and these are the time to give respect to the decision of IK even when lot of people may dis-agree on the timing issue, but th motive is right without free fair electoral process no democracy will prevail in even next 100 years.
Pti and TUQ ideologies only work in the real world not in this fantasyland. How dare they perform such anti- democratic acts such as protesting and asking for fair elections.
I think TUQ had a better plan and course of action than IK. IK missed the boat when he listened to Shah Mrhmood and that Baghi guy and refused to join TUQs demo. Change was inevitable back then had IK joined TUQ, now it is also poss but an uphill task i would say. Best of luck.
in your charter of demand you should include health and education emergency in Pakistan. 35% of GDP should be invested on health and education.
Sharif govt can not controlled people. There govt are destine to gone
What is PTI's performance against corruption in KP so far.Just zero.It is easy to vilify others
Don't let these evil pressure tactics recede from your stance. Way to go PTI
Who is this lady? Is she Pakistani?
Pakistan's economy has started responding some positively after hardwork of 11 months. PTI is not happy on this. Now they want derail this democratic process.
@Rehana: what?
Ms. Mazari, what are you people going to do? You people are enemy of my country and democracy. You people are the dirty side of democracy. This politics of agitation will badly damage Pakistan.
PTI is busy only in accusing, blaming, protesting and abusing others. They should spend their energies on some productive work.
They are now managing expectations if low turn out then blame it on these so called hurdles. I seriously think IK is driven by his bitterness and resentment over election loss and therefore he can never focus on good policy making and legislation. Has he brought any solid legislation in NA to strengthen the election process? My family and friends wont be joining this protest
Pti stands against crupt culture
No hope from these western culture politicians like Shireen Mazari. Nothing good is expected from them.