Pakistan nearing ‘real independence’: PTI

PTI leaders, workers and supporters continued their peaceful protest for the third day in a row on Saturday against the assassination attempt on their chairman Imran Khan during the long march earlier this week. They said the party's struggle is leading Pakistan to the 'real independence'.

The Karachi chapter of PTI staged a rally from Numaish Chowrangi to Tibet Centre amid strict security arrangements put in place by the provincial government.

Addressing the rally participants, Bilal Ghaffar, PTI's Karachi chapter president, appreciated the spirit of party workers and supporters who have been "fighting against a mafia for the past three days", calling them the "real asset" of PTI.

Ghaffar said that PTI's rivals have crossed the red line by orchestrating the attempt on life of Imran Khan who is the voice of 220 million people of Pakistan. "Imran Khan has raised voice against oppression and is leading a decisive battle for the future generations of this country," he said.

He said that "thieves and dacoits" who make up the current imported government were not ready to accept PTI in any way, but soon Imran Khan would again be the prime minister of the country with overwhelming majority.

Ghaffar said that PTI was a peace-loving party and the provincial government must stop use of force against its workers. He condemned Friday's teargas shelling and baton-charge by police on PTI workers, including women and children.

"No one can make a dent into the determination of Imran Khan and his workers," Ghaffar said.

He called upon PTI workers to stay alert in the next 24 hours and wait for a call from Imran Khan. He questioned why there was a silence from the military when PML-N founder Nawaz Sharif slammed generals by name in his speeches.

Ghaffar said that four days have passed since the assassination attempt on Imran Khan but the FIR has not been registered against the suspect named by the PTI chief. He said that the PTI central leadership has paid tributes to the party workers in Karachi who continued their protest despite police brutality.

Speaking on the occasion, PTI's Parliamentary Leader in Sindh Assembly Khurram Sher Zaman urged everyone to stand up against the "mafia without fear of death". He said that Imran Khan was fighting a Jihad for Pakistan.

Zaman condemned the inhumane treatment to which Azam Swati and his family have been subjected to. "Do not force us. We are silent for the sake of the country," he said, adding that the PTI would fight back if pushed against the wall. "We will die but would never stand against the army," he said, while maintaining that for every PTI worker Imran Khan was dearer than their parents and children.

PTI MNA Aftab Jahangir said that the enmity was started by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah but the PTI would take it to logical conclusion. "The PML-N will be erased from Wazirabad," he said.

PTI MPA Raja Azhar said that a third force tried to sabotage peace. If anything happens, the responsibility will be on the Sindh government, he added. Other leaders also addressed the rally.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2022.