Lahore braces for PTI ‘tsunami’

Former prime minister Imran Khan is all set to hold a mega power show at the historic Minar-e-Pakistan, on Thursday (today), against foreign conspiracy of regime change in Pakistan.

District administration has warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership about security threat.

Through an official communiqué, Lahore deputy commissioner has advised that former prime minister Imran Khan should address public gathering via video link instead of physically participating in the rally.

Punjab PTI President Shafqat Mahmood, on Wednesday, presided over a meeting of the organising committee Minar-e-Pakistan public gathering and briefed the media. The meeting reviewed all arrangements and highlighted route plan has been finalised. List of participants sitting on the stage along with senior PTI leadership has been decided.

Media enclosure has been set up and full-dress rehearsal for the mega show is underway.

The meeting expressed satisfaction over all arrangements. The party has directed all leaders available in provincial capital to reach Minar-e-Pakistan after Iftar along with rallies. Members of reception, sound, lighting, security and other committees would remain available at the venue during the public gathering.

Meanwhile, PTI Central Secretary General Asad Umar led a huge rally of youth and students from Nasir Bagh to Minar-e-Pakistan which was organised by the Insaf Youth Wing and Insaf Students Federation.

Addressing the rally participants, Asad Umar said imported government had badly failed to control governmental affairs.

“A foreign power had tried to impose slavery through their puppets and thrown out an elected government in Pakistan. Interference of a foreign power had attracted strong reaction from the entire nation and no Pakistani is willing to accept slavery. Minar-e-Pakistan gathering will be step towards real freedom and independence of the nation,” he underscored.

A huge stage has been prepared in front of Minar-e-Pakistan with huge containers from where the former prime minister will address the gathering. PTI leadership said that it will be the biggest ever and the most important public gathering in political history of Pakistan as it will decide the future course of this country.

“The public gathering will decide whether we accept the foreign-imposed government or want to live as an independent nation,” Mehmood maintained. He appealed to the people to come out in large numbers and prove that Pakistan will not accept an ‘imported’ government ‘imposed’ on them through a ‘conspiracy’.

He said there was a huge political crisis in Pakistan and elections are the only solution to overcome such a crisis. A day earlier, in a video message, former prime minister Imran Khan appealed to the people to come out in large numbers to attend the gathering. “The Pakistan resolution was passed at this place in 1940 when Muslims of sub-continent decided to get an independent state,” said Khan.

“Pakistan couldn’t get real independence as an imported government is imposed on us through a foreign conspiracy. I appeal to all segments of the society, including students, farmers, businessmen, women and children to join me for an independent Pakistan,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2022.