PTI Chairman and former premier Imran Khan on Saturday announced to take to the streets in Punjab from next week in a bid to force the ruling coalition government to hold elections in the Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assemblies, saying “he would start from Lahore and conclude in Attock on May 14”, and vowed to continue his struggle for the “supremacy of rule of law” in the country.
Earlier in the day, the PTI chief led a public rally in Lahore held to show support and solidarity with the Supreme Court and chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) amid the ongoing impasse between the judiciary and the parliament over the holding of polls in the two provincial assemblies.
Rallies were also taken out in other major cities of the country including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Mardan.
A large number of PTI workers, supporters, lawyers and people from different walks of life participated in these rallies.
Addressing the rally in Lahore, Imran noted that “imported rulers imposed in the country” had ruined the national economy.
“Today, Pakistanis have awakened and come out of their houses to express solidarity with the chief justice of Pakistan who is standing for the supremacy of the Constitution,” he said.
“In just one year, they (incumbent government) have caused unprecedented inflation and unemployment in the country. Rupee has depreciated by almost 50 per cent owing to the flawed policies of the present rulers and political uncertainty in the country.”
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Imran said no enemy had harmed Pakistan in the manner General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa did.
“He (Bajwa) had imposed these corrupt rulers who have no stake in the country. All their wealth, children and assets are parked in foreign countries. They came here to rule Pakistan.”
Castigating PM Shehbaz who is in the United Kingdom to attend the coronation ceremony of King Charles III, the PTI chairman questioned what the premier was doing in London when the country was grappling with terrorism.
“The other day, six officials of armed forces were martyred while on Thursday seven teachers were killed in Parachinar.”
Imran defends Bilawal
Commenting on foreign minister’s visit to India, Imran said Bilawal should have carried out the consultation process before going to the neighbouring country.
“Whenever you go on a state visit by spending taxpayers’ money you should consider pros and cons of the visit,” he said.
FM Bilawal was in Goa to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Foreign Ministers meeting last week.
Commenting on Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar presser where he censured Pakistan, the PTI chief said, “India should have a little courtesy but should know that powerful never remains powerful”.
“Though, Pakistan is passing through a difficult time but by establishing rule of law the country will rise again,” he added.
The former premier reiterated that free and fair elections were the only way forward to end current chaos in the country, adding that PTI had sacrificed its Punjab and K-P governments to seek fresh mandate but polls were not held even the stipulated time of 90 days had passed.
Imran stressed that his party would not allow anyone to breach the Constitution and will continue its struggle for “real independence” in the country. “I will not stay home until the establishment of the rule of law and supremacy of Constitution in the country.”
He said that their struggle was not political but a “jehad” for “real independence of Pakistan”.
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The PTI chairman announced to hold a series of public gatherings in Punjab from next week, saying “I will start from Lahore and conclude in Attock on May 14, and will not take rest until elections are held”.
Imran said he would galvanise people across Punjab to stand up for the rule of law and elections, adding that the current interim governments in Punjab and K-P had completed their constitutional tenure.
“We will also approach the Supreme Court for elections,” he added.
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