Will have to compromise on national security if country defaults: Imran

This is a defining moment for Pakistan, says PTI chairman

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan on Thursday warned that if Pakistan defaults, it will have to "compromise on its national security" the next time the government approaches foreign lenders for aid.

Recalling that the country's default risk was a "mere 5pc" when he was in power earlier this year, Imran said the incumbent government has "devastated the economy".

He further said all steps being taken by the current government, including bringing changes to the Army Act, are to ensure that the incumbent leaders can safeguard their "looted wealth".

LIVE- Chairman PTI Imran Khan's Address at Haqeeqi Azadi Long March in Dina, Quaidabad, Peshawar & Chakdara (17.11.2022)#WeTrustImranKhan

Link: https://t.co/yC8JbST7Yv

— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 17, 2022

He further said that there was a chance that the current leaders would flee the country "once again" and they are "doing this all for themselves, not the country or its people".

Reiterating his call for free and fair elections, Imran maintained it was the only way forward for the country. "PTI won 70 per cent of the elections despite the fact that the establishment was supporting them," said the former premier.

He also claimed that the aim is to "eliminate Imran Khan".

The PTI chairperson also said this "was a defining moment" in the history of the country and "when the nation stands up, they are unstoppable".

'PTI will hold largest ever gathering in Pindi'

PTI Secretary General Asad Umar on Thursday said the party will hold the "largest ever" political gathering in Rawalpindi.

He said the PTI will not be threatened or will bow down and its leaders will be "standing with its supporters" and not hide behind "bulletproof glass".

Umar also claimed that party chairperson Imran Khan had visited Russia to buy "cheap oil for the people" and had proceeded with the visit despite all warnings.

حقیقی آزادی لانگ مارچ :
اسد عمر صاحب جنرل سیکریٹری پاکستان تحریک انصاف کا دریاے جہلم پل پر شاندار استقبال- #WeTrustImranKhan pic.twitter.com/Z7kje61KVw

— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 17, 2022

"Imran was advised that those with power will turn against him if he visited Russia, but he ignored the warnings for the betterment of the country."

In an earlier tweet on Wednesday, Umar had stated that Imran will announce the date of the arrival of the 'Haqeeqi Azadi March' in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

The party chief and the former prime minister is set to join the march in Rawalpindi and lead the PTI supporters to the capital.

لانگ مارچ کے پنڈی آمد کی تاریخ کا اعلان عمران خان بروز ہفتہ جلسے میں کریں گے

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) November 16, 2022

Further, Umar said that in a "failed attempt" to bring down Imran, the whole country is being brought down.

عمران خان کو گرانے کی ناکام کوشش میں یہ پورے ملک ہی کو گرا رہے ہیں #EnoughIsEnough

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) November 17, 2022

PTI's long march

According to the official PTI's Twitter account, the march is being led by PTI leaders in Dina in Jhelum, Quaidabad in Khushab, Peshawar and Chakdara today.

Party chief Imran Khan will address the long march participants at 4:30pm today.

حقیقی آزادی مارچ میں سینئیر لیڈرشپ کی قیادت میں آج ان شہروں میں لوگوں کو موبلائز کیا جائے گا:
• دینہ، جہلم
• قائد آباد ، خوشاب
• پشاور
• چکدرہ
چئیرمین تحریک انصاف کی تقریر 4:30 لائیو دکھائی جائے گی - #WeTrustImranKhan

— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 17, 2022

PTI leader Musarrat Cheema shared today's route for the march on Twitter and said that the 'Haqeeqi Azadi March' will start from Ladhar House at 3pm in the form of a rally.

Read 'Long march a political problem': SC dismisses petition to stop PTI's march

She tweeted that the rally will be led by various PTI leaders, including Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Fawad Chaudhry.

آج انشاءاللہ حقیقی آزادی مارچ کا آغاز لدھڑ ہاؤس سے 3 بجے ریلی کی صورت میں ہوگا. ریلی بائی پاس روڈ سے ہوتی جی. ٹی. روڈ دینہ کی طرف روانہ ہوگی.

ریلی کی قیادت شاہ محمود قریشی صاحب، فواد چوہدری صاحب، مسرت جمشید چیمہ صاحبہ،زلفی بخاری صاحب،فوق شیر باز صاحب اور فراز چوہدری صاحب کریں گے

— Musarrat Cheema (@MusarratCheema) November 17, 2022

Cheema further said the rally plans to reach Mangla Road in Dina at around 4pm, adding that the gathering will be hosted by Raja Yawar Kamal, Sher Baz and Zahid Akhtar.

ریلی منگلا روڈ دینہ کے مقام پر تقریبا پونے 4 بجے پہنچے گی. اس اجتماع کی میزبانی راجہ یاور کمال، فوق شیر باز اور زاہد اختر کریں گے.

شاہ محمود قریشی صاحب 4:15 بجے اجتماع سے خطاب کریں گے اور چئیرمین عمران خان 4:30 بجے خطاب کریں گے.

— Musarrat Cheema (@MusarratCheema) November 17, 2022

Cheema added that Jhelum had proved that it is "the land of martyrs and ghazis" and that it will not accept anyone's slavery.

جہلم نے گزشتہ روز ثابت کیا کہ وہ شہیدوں اور غازیوں کی سرزمین ہے اور وہ کسی کی غلامی قبول نہیں کریں گے.

— Musarrat Cheema (@MusarratCheema) November 17, 2022