Imran to not let bulletproof shield separate him from supporters: Asad

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Asad Umar announced that Imran Khan would not let 'anything bulletproof' separate him and the people as he is a kaptaan (captain) who 'loved his people', and did not want to be away from them.

The remark comes after leaders from the incumbent government advised the former premier to erect a bulletproof shield on his container as a safety measure following the alleged assassination attempt against him.

During the party's Haqeeqi Azadi March Asad, in a message to the chief justice of Pakistan, declared that "Toba [Tek Singh], Chiniot, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sindh, Punjab" all stood in support of Imran and that PTI supporters will not back down, or bend before anyone.

Quoting the PTI chief, Asad stated that he was still "standing despite being shot" and questioned if the "nation was ready to stand with him".

Asad also said that when he speaks to Imran in the evening, he will inform the party chief that the women of Toba Tek Singh were also part of the march.

The convoy, led by Asad Umar and other party leaders, passed through Gojra Tehsil where he was welcomed outside Hamza Usman's residence.

He thanked the local people in a short speech and then the procession began to move toward its destination

Read Divide and conquer? PTI long march splits in two

Later, Asad Umar and PTI leader Shahbaz Gill reached Kalma Chowk in Toba Tek Singh.

Imran to address Gujrat via video link

PTI Vice Chairperson Shah Mehmood Qureshi is leading the rally towards Gujrat where party chief Imran Khan will address the participants of the long march via video-link. 

PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan made the announcement through his official Twitter handle, adding that a large number of people were eager to welcome their kaptaan.

“The solution to all of the country’s problems lies in the decision-making power of the people,” he said.

PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi stated that screens would be put up in Gujrat for Imran to address the people and party workers.

He detailed that the march would move towards Gujrat after Friday prayers, and that the procession would pause at Rahmat Elahi Chowk and then finally reach the GTS Chowk where Imran Khan will address the crowds.

Addressing a presser prior to the march, Qureshi stated that the first information report (FIR) lodged against the Wazirabad shooting had "no value" because the three high-profile leaders inculpated by Imran were not named in the FIR. He said that the plaintiff should have been prioritised but alleged that the police seemed helpless. The PTI leader remarked that the incident showed "some people are above the law".

He said that adherence to the law was vital for Pakistan's progress.

Thursday's procession

Yesterday, Imran told supporters via video-link they should keep up ‘Azadi March’, a week after he suffered wounds in a gun attack, and he dismissed a police report that a lone shooter tried to kill him.

The former prime minister was wounded last Thursday in the shooting at a rally in Wazirabad, part of a rolling march that he has led to press for a general election since he was ousted in a parliament vote in April.

Imran addressed a few hundred workers who relaunched the march in Wazirabad. "Our march wouldn't stop," Imran said, adding the protest will instead gather strength as it closes in on the federal capital.

The PTI chairman has been leading public rallies to demand snap polls since his ouster by a joint opposition. He said nothing could deter him from going ahead as long as the snap polls were not called, adding that he would join the protest march in Rawalpindi in some days. "I will not back off as long as I'm alive," he said.