PHOTO: APP
The announcement came barely a week after the PTI chief threatened to shut down the federal capital after Muharram to a charged crowd on September 30 in Raiwind.
“It’s been principally decided that we will not let the government function from October 30,” Imran said while addressing a news conference at a local hotel after chairing a party meeting attended by senior leadership.
In 2014, Imran staged a botched 126-day long sit-in in the heart of Islamabad, demanding resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections.
Khan did not provide details of the venue and how the party would demonstrate his power on the fateful day.
“[The] government can ward off the move only if the prime minister announces to step down or present himself for accountability [under the opposition’s suggested terms of reference],” Imran said.
Reviving his pre-2013 general elections stance, the PTI chief “appealed” to his supporters and sympathisers to join him in the final round aimed at breaking the ‘Nawaz-Zardari nexus’, whom he dubbed “corruption kings”.
Rebutting criticism from opposition parties about the PTI’s solo flight against the incumbent regime, Imran said, the issue of the Panama leaks would have gone under the rug if the PTI had not taken a firm stand over the issue.
“There are few leaders in the PPP, like Aitzaz Ahsan and Bilawal Bhutto, who want to hold the prime minister accountable for his corruption. But it’s Asif Ali Zardari, who has covertly been supporting the corrupt regime,” Imran said, advising the PPP to opt for the minus-Asif Zardari formula if the party really wants to do pro-poor politics in the future.
Imran, who boycotted the joint sitting of parliament, said both the PPP and the PML-N were trying to hide behind parliament to save their corruption and added that this fact was evident from hollow speeches delivered on the floor of the house [during the joint session].
Responding to a question, Imran rebuffed the idea if his ‘pressure mounting tactic’ is in connection with the army chief’s extension, who would be completing his term of office in November.
“It has nothing to do with the retirement or extension of General Sharif. It’s a propaganda based on disinformation and spread by a group led by PM’s daughter. The PTI is doing what a real opposition does,” Imran said while refraining himself from answering if he wants General Sharif to resign or support an extension to his services.
Responding to another question, Imran clarified that the PTI does not want the dissolution of the current assembly; rather, it seeks free and fair accountability of the premier.
The PTI chief said he had the idea that the residents of the twin cities would suffer due to his protest, adding: “It’s a defining moment and citizens should prepare themselves to sacrifice a little to save their future generations from the slavery of incumbent ruler’s children.”
Imran attacked Nawaz Sharif over the lack of strong intent shown to India following the much-talked-about surgical strikes across LoC. He alleged that “Modi didn’t dare to act like this, until Sharif gave the wrong signal. He (Sharif) went to India first. He neither met the Kashmiri leaders nor the Hurriyat leadership.
“He went to houses of businessmen and had tea. Modi is trying to isolate Pakistan in global platforms but Sharif is still trying to make friends with him. Today, this situation would not have arisen if Sharif had shown the right leadership. It was for Sharif, the joint session of parliament was required.”
Earlier Khan chaired a meeting attended by senior leadership including Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Jahangir Khan Tareen, Asad Umar, Naeemul Haque, Shireen Marzari, etc.
A senior leader, on the condition of anonymity, said it had been decided that in coming days a committee would be formed to finalise the ‘way of action’ in this regard.
“Islamabad will be locked down by holding scattered protests at major entry and exit points – including surrounding areas of Red Zone,” he said, adding more details to that effect would be finalised soon.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 7th, 2016.
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