Imran backtracks on six-day ultimatum for Islamabad long march

Former PM says he will give call for long march only after SC's verdict on petition for peaceful protest in Islamabad

Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has backtracked from the six-day ultimatum he had given to the unity government for the announcement of the fresh elections, Express News reported.

After reaching Islamabad on May 25, Imran Khan surprised many by announcing to call off the much-hyped long march to the capital. However, he had given a six-day deadline to the government for announcing the election date — an ultimatum which expired on Tuesday.

The former premier had vowed to bring an “ocean of people” to the capital if the government did not comply with his demand.

Read more: PTI seeks UN intervention over govt 'crackdown'

Addressing a social media conference in Peshawar on Wednesday, Khan said that PTI has filed a petition in the Supreme Court for a ‘peaceful protest’ in Islamabad.

"We want protection from the Supreme Court on whether we have the right to peaceful protest and whether the judiciary can allow these ‘criminals’ (government officials) to torture women and children," he said and added that he will give the call for Islamabad only after the apex court's verdict.

Imran Khan said that the courts are formed to give protection to the weak, adding they will be better prepared this time while going to Islamabad and will not repeat ‘mistakes’.

Also read: PTI approaches SC for holding 'peaceful protest' in Islamabad

Equating the struggle against the present government as jihad, he said that the decisive moment had arrived for the nation. "The government is trying to intimidate people... the shells that were used [against protesters] in Islamabad were the same that were used against the terrorists," he added.

The PTI chairman said certain members of the incumbent government had been committing crimes for the past 30 years but they were still imposed upon the nation. "Shehbaz Sharif and Rana Sanaullah had killed 14 people in broad daylight in Model Town... these people should have been in prison," he said and added that if the nation defeats the "looters and murderers", then Pakistan will rise.

Imran Khan further said that the Almighty does not allow anyone to remain ‘neutral’.

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