Imran’s juggernaut gets rolling on 28th

LAHORE:

Lahore. PTI and deposed premier Imran Khan on Tuesday announced that his party's long march would start from October 28 (Friday).

Addressing a news conference in Lahore, the PTI chief said the long march would start from Lahore’s Liberty Chowk at 11am.

He claimed that he was constantly being told that the country was in trouble and he should not stage the long march at this time.

However, he added that the situation had reached a point where the people were demanding that the “imported” government should be removed.

Imran also pledged to follow the guidelines issued by the Islamabad High Court for holding the long march.

The ex-premier maintained that when his party came into power, the country's economy was devastated and its foreign reserves were almost exhausted.

Imran noted that there were three long marches staged against his government – one by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, second by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and third by PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz.

“We didn’t stop any of them,” he claimed.

He added that Maryam's long march was left somewhere in Punjab’s Gujjar Khan.

Also read: Imran loses hope in back-door talks

The PTI chief reiterated his government was ousted through a foreign conspiracy and by giving money to lawmakers.

He added that he was booked under the charges of terrorism and currently, there were 14 FIRs against him.

Imran again condemned the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif.

“Was he [Arshad] an enemy of the country? All the journalists and nation know that he was loyal to Pakistan, but he was treated deplorably,” he added.

Arshad was shot dead by the Kenyan police in a case of “mistaken identity” while he was traveling to Nairobi from Magadi town on Sunday night.

Later, a Kenyan police statement expressed “regrets on the unfortunate incident” and read that it was being probed.

The PTI chief maintained that everyone knew that Arshad was a “patriot” and there were two martyrdoms in his house.

“He [Arshad] was intimidated to back out from his stance. TV channels were told to silence journalists,” he added.

Imran further claimed that “famous robbers” of the country had their cases quashed.

He noted that amendments were made to the country’s accountability law.

With each amendment, a “robber” managed to escape the radar of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), he added.

The PTI chief again said the changes in the NAB law were aimed at escaping accountability.

He asked the media personnel present there to check the economic survey of Pakistan.

“During our time, the price of oil went up to $115, now it is at $90,” he added.

The former prime minister further said his party’s long march was a war to achieve freedom from “thieves”.

“We will reach Islamabad from GT Road. People from all over Pakistan will reach the federal capital. The long march will be the largest sea of people in the history of Pakistan,” he added.

A PTI leader said the long march would start from Lahore, but convoys from different parts of the country would reach Islamabad.

“Once there, Imran Khan would announce the next plan of action,” he added.