PTI says next big step within 48 hours

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Friday issued a "one-month ultimatum" to the coalition government to dissolve the assemblies, warning that if the government did not announce the election date, “be ready for our next big step”.

“The PTI does not trust any decision made by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and does not believe in the existing process of elections either,” Fawad Chaudhry, a senior party leader, told media persons here.

"Within the next 48 hours, the party will announce the date of a big meeting in Islamabad," he said, adding that during the gathering, the PTI will issue an ultimatum to the coalition government to announce the date for the election.

He said that if the government still doesn't come to its senses and doesn't announce the elections, then “get ready for our actions, as giving more time will destroy the economy of the country and as well as its”.

Imran visits Gen Safraz's house

Besides, Fawad said that Chairman PTI Imran Khan went to Gen Sarfraz's house today and condoled. “We pray and pay tribute to all the martyrs … the manner in which our soldiers of Pakistan Army took care of flood affected people.” He commended Gen Sarfraz’s service.We are no longer going to be a tool against Al-Qaeda or America

Fawad highlighted that after al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in a drone attack in Afghanistan, “we want clarification whether the country’s airspace or land was used or not”. “Pakistan paid a heavy price in the past, now we cannot be part of such a deal.”

He said that the nation wants an answer that “we are not going to be a tool of America again against al Qaeda”.

No trust in ECP

Fawad said that he was not ready to give more time than this and the Election Commission should have respected the court's decision regarding the by-elections and stopped the schedule till August 16.

The PTI leader said that there was no trust in the current Election Commission. “We do not trust any decision of this Election Commission and the process of elections.”

"The election commission should have waited till August 16 to schedule the by-elections," he said, adding that the way the government wanted the elections to be held was not possible as the PTI will not leave the battlefield.