Immediate elections only way forward, says Imran

PTI chief also announces a public gathering in Peshawar – his maiden rally after his removal from the premiership

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Monday called for immediate general elections in the country, saying it is the "only way forward".

The development comes soon after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as 23rd prime minister of Pakistan after receiving 174 votes from the lower house of parliament.

Read more: PTI vows to 'snatch back Pakistan's freedom' after Shehbaz's election as PM

Imran had also tendered his resignation as a member of the National Assembly earlier in the day along with other members of the former ruling party.

"We are demanding immediate elections as that is the only way forward -- to let the people decide, through fair & free elections, whom they want as their prime minister," the former premier wrote on his official Twitter handle.

We are demanding immediate elections as that is the only way forward -- to let the people decide, through fair & free elections, whom they want as their prime minister.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 11, 2022

The PTI chairman also announced to hold a public gathering in Peshawar on April 13 – his first after ousting from the premiership. "On Wednesday I will be holding a jalsa in Peshawar after Isha - my first jalsa after being removed through a foreign-instigated regime change."

On Wednesday I will be holding a jalsa in Peshawar after Isha - my first jalsa after being removed through a foreign- instigated regime change. I want all our people to come, as Pakistan was created as an independent, sovereign state not as a puppet state of foreign powers.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 11, 2022

"I want all our people to come, as Pakistan was created as an independent, sovereign state not as a puppet state of foreign powers."

Former energy minister Hammad Azhar, after PM Shehbaz National Assembly speech, said that a few populist measures don't make up for a lack of democratic legitimacy.

A few populist measures dont make up for a lack of democratic legitimacy. This imported puppet govt will be the weakest and most short-lived one. They know this themselves and admit privately!

— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) April 11, 2022

"This imported puppet govt will be the weakest and most short-lived one. They know this themselves and admit privately," he claimed.

Former information minister Fawad Chaudhry, while rejecting the prime minister's offer to conduct an inquiry over the "lettergate", termed it the government's attempt to give itself NRO (amnesty).

شہباز شریف کی لیٹر گیٹ اسکینڈل کی تحقیقات کرانے کی پیشکش کو مسترد کرتے ہیں، یہ خود کو NRO دینے کی بھونڈی کوشش ہے، لیٹر گیٹ کی تحقیقات کیلئے سپریم کورٹ کو آزاد کمیشن بنانا چاہئے جس کی سربراہی ایسے شخص کے پاس ہو جس پر کوئ انگلی نہ اٹھا سکے۔۔

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 11, 2022

"Supreme Court should form a commission and it should be lead by some whose credibility cannot be questioned," he wrote.

Former special assistant to prime minister on political communication Dr Shahbaz Gill highlighted the cases the newly-elected premier was involved in.

"Mega corruption 16 Billions case of FIA. 7 and 4 Billions in NAB and about 12 Billions inquiries pending in FIA and NAB. About 40 Billions looted money cases to be answered by Shahbaz Sharief leaving cases of Maryem and Nawaz Sharif aside," he tweeted.

Mega corruption 16 Billions case of FIA
7 and 4 Billions in NAB and about 12 Billions inquiries pending in FIA and NAB. About 40 Billions looted money cases to be answered by Shahbaz Sharief leaving cases of Maryem and Nawaz Sharif aside

— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) April 11, 2022