Imran asks nation to prepare for next long march

Former prime minister Imran Khan on Sunday asked his supporters to prepare for the next long march towards Islamabad, saying it was high time to take action as the “imported government is going to compromise with America on the blood of Kashmiris and recognise Israel”.

“The Pakistani nation came into existence under La ilaha illallah, which means not to bow before anyone but today America has imposed a government of thieves on us,” the PTI chairman said while addressing a workers’ convention.

Former federal minister Murad Saeed, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser were in attendance.

A large number of workers were present at the convention.

“I ask of the entire nation to prepare and wait for my call,” Imran said.

Source: Facebook/PTI

The former premier said his party would leave no stone unturned this time to prepare for the long march. “This time we will be prepared,” he said. “Protest is our democratic right. If the imported government does not give the right, we will snatch it.”

The PTI chairman vowed to put those who committed violence against the PTI workers, their families and children in jails.

He specifically warned Interior Minister Rana Sanullah, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz that they would not be spared for manhandling of the protesters during the party’s march last Thursday.

“We will make sure that we bring you to justice and get you punished for your actions that day,” he said. “We have to fight a real war. Our workers went out for freedom and have been martyred in the struggle.”

Dr Yasmin Rashid, who is 75 years of age, Imran said, was tortured (by police) after breaking into her house.

He said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was under the influence of the United States.

“India purchased oil from Russia and reduced its price by Rs25 [per litre], while these thieves increased the price of petrol by Rs30 [per litre].”

Recently, the incumbent government increased the petrol price to Rs180 per litre in order to meet one of the conditions of the international lender for releasing the $1 billion tranche of the $6 billion Extended Fund Facility programme.

The other conditions for the release of the tranche are ending subsidies on electricity and food items.

Imran told the participants of the convention that 220 million people were being enslaved. “Remember, the nation is not afraid of tear gas. This is a real liberation movement … jihad.”

Addressing the workers, CM Mahmood said violence against K-P women who participated in the lonf march would be taken into account.

He said that time, the workers would go to the interior minister’s house to settle accounts.

Addressing the convention, Saeed said revenge would be taken for the atrocities committed against each and every worker.

Further, Imran also met the two workers who were injured in the long march and inquired after their health.

Imran said that the legs of the workers have been broken, adding that he would meet the lawyers in Peshawar and take legal action against those who tortured them.