PTI Chairman and former premier Imran Khan on Sunday announced that his party would kick off its much-hyped long march against the “imported government” to the federal capital on May 25. Addressing a news conference after the PTI’s core committee meeting in Peshawar, Imran said the main demands for the march to Islamabad were the immediate dissolution of the assemblies and announcing a date for the next general election. He added that the army had remained true to its word of staying “neutral”.
The PTI chairman, who was accompanied by almost every major leader of his party, said he was inviting the entire nation to the march. “People belonging to all walks of life including labourers, ex-servicemen and others should participate in the long march for the ‘real freedom’ of the country.”
He said people must attend the march because this was jihad, and not politics. “I’ve decided and told all my team [members] that we have to be ready to sacrifice our lives.”
About the core committee meeting, the PTI chairman said major decisions had been made during the huddle. “The biggest [question] was when to begin the long march, and we have decided [that]. I will meet you on May 25 on Srinagar Highway at 3pm.”
The PTI chief indicated that the march would convert into a sit-in. He said the marchers would stay in Islamabad until their demands were met.
He called for free and fair elections. “If the nation brings the current government back to power then I will accept it. However, no other country would be allowed to impose them on us.”
Imran also warned the authorities against creating hurdles in the long marchers’ way, saying that the PTI would take legal action if this happened.
The PTI chairman reiterated that there was a foreign conspiracy against Pakistan from the US.
“They [Americans] used locals… the most corrupt people, who were ready to become part of any conspiracy to save their corruption. This conspiracy was hatched eight months ago and I was alerted about it in June. After August, I fully understood what was happening. We did our best to prevent this conspiracy from succeeding, but unfortunately we couldn’t.”
Repeating his allegations, the ex-PM claimed that a no-trust motion was filed against his government a day after US official Donald Lu threatened Pakistan with dire consequences.
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“My government was toppled at a time when all sectors of the country including economy and exports were showing an upward trajectory.” Imran said those who were involved in the alleged conspiracy against his regime sent a message to the US that his visit to Russia was his government’s unilateral decision.
“I visited Russia in consultation with all stakeholders including the foreign ministry and the military establishment.”
Taking a jibe at the incumbent rulers, the deposed premier said they lacked planning and capability to steer the country out of the prevailing crises. “The current government is asking the National Security Council (NSC) to take responsibility for the increase in fuel prices as they want to place this burden on the military.”
Journalists were not allowed to cover the PTI core committee meeting and the following news conference with the exception of one media house.
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