PDM to observe ‘thanksgiving day’ over Imran’s move to dissolve assemblies

PTI chief should not be stopped at all from dissolving the assemblies, says Rana Sanaullah

The ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has announced that they will observe ‘thanksgiving day’ over PTI chief Imran Khan’s announcement to dissolve Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assemblies in a bid to force the government into early elections.

The PTI chief on Saturday said that his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party will dissolve both Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab assemblies on Friday, December 23.

"We will sacrifice both assemblies... we are sacrificing them for this nation... there will be elections in 66 per cent of Pakistan," he said while addressing his supporters at Lahore's Liberty Chowk via video link.

Soon after his announcement, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal ‘welcomed’ Imran's announcement, saying they are ready to contest early polls.

Speaking to Express News, Iqbal said Imran could do anything for returning to power and added that he had no regard for devastation caused by recent floods.

“PDM will fully participate in these elections. Elections will be held according to the Constitution of the country after the dissolution of assemblies dominated by Imran Khan,” he added.

The federal minister said the incumbent government was “undoing the damage” caused by the previous PTI-led government. “We do not want to give Imran Khan more time so that he could destroy the economy further”.

Also read: Will dissolve Punjab, K-P assemblies on Dec 23, Imran announces at Lahore rally

He went on to say that Imran during his tenure as prime minister had learned only two things —to make false cases against his opponents and to sell the gifts of Toshakhana.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah while talking to a local TV channel said the former PM was using all tactics to make the country default. “Imran Khan should not be stopped at all from dissolving the assemblies,” he added.

He further said that after the dissolution of the assemblies, his party will proceed as per the Constitution and law.

“If elections are held in 90 days then we will be in a better position.”

Sindh Local Government Minister and PPP leader Nasir Shah concurring with the federal minister’s statements said, “You should have seen faces of the chief ministers sitting beside Imran Khan”.

He added that the face expressions of Punjab CM Pervaiz Elahi and K-P CM Mahmood Khan reflected that they were not in favour of dissolving the assemblies.

"Both the chief ministers will not dissolve the assemblies,” he claimed.