'If you are a lion, act like one' Imran challenges Nawaz

PTI Chairm­an calls on Nawaz Sharif to take brave decisi­ons, quit the govern­ment.

ISLAMABAD/ KARACHI: “Mian Sahab, if you are a lion, act like one. Take brave decisions, quit the government.”

These are the word of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan who, while addressing the ‘judiciary solidarity rally’ in Islamabad, said that the rallies organised by the PML-N are insignificant.

“If you are serious about your opposition of the government, than resign from the assemblies,” he repeated.

Emphasising the importance of Punjab, Imran said that if the PML-N quits from the provincial government, elections will be immediately held in the province which in result will lead to general elections in the entire country.

Further questioning Nawaz’s bravery, Imran said that Pakistan wants him to be "a real tiger and not a paper tiger."

“Holding a rally in Quetta counts as a brave act. If you want to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan, organise a rally in Quetta and Karachi,” Imran reiterated.

The PTI Chairman also announced a rally at the Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi on May 27. “All I need is your [people’s] support and I’m telling you, I will fight against everyone if you stand by me,” he said.

Parliament vs Judiciary

Condemning the parliamentary resolution against the Supreme Court’s Gilani verdict, Imran said that it’s a shame that a people’s representative body was undermining the judiciary.

“The resolution was passed because corrupt people want to hide their corruption. They know if the Swiss cases will be reopened, their corruption will be exposed,” he said.

Imran however said that resolutions passed by the current parliament are of no worth. Quoting the parliament’s resolution against drone strikes, Imran said it failed to stop the US from attacking us.

He further said that if such a resolution was passed by the PTI, it would have prevented future drone attacks.

“If we [PTI] could not stop drone attacks, we would have quit,” he stated, adding that an assembly that cannot protect its own people is useless.

PTI’s Pakistan

Telling the ruling parties that their time in power is over, Imran said that the PTI, once in power, will take Pakistan to new heights.

“We will have free assemblies, independent judiciary and non-politicised police force,” he said.

Elaborating further on the role of institutions under the PTI, Imran said the security forces will act without any discrimination. “They will take steps against anyone who violates the laws,” he said.

“The judiciary will be absolutely free and will provide freedom to the people,” he added.

While concluding his address, Imran said that the PTI will contact all the parties part of the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) and ask them to join hands.

End of live updates

Live updates:

5:25pm

Take a look at the crowd gathered for the PTI protest here.

5:06pm

Express News correspondent Zaigham Naqvi reports that amid chants of “Imran Khan, Imran Khan”, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan along with the party’s senior leadership has reached D-Chowk, in front of parliament.

Shortly, Khan will begin his address to the rally.

4:19pm

The Express Tribune correspondent Zahid Gishkori reports that almost 2,000 PTI supporters have gathered so far at China Chowk – majority of them are women and youngsters.

The participants are chanting slogans in favour of judiciary.

3:31pm

The Express Tribune correspondent Zahid Gishkori reports that more than 70 passenger vans carrying PTI supporters could not make it to China Chowk due to a traffic blockage at the Zero Point intersection near Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd. (ZTBL) headquarters.

3:19pm

Express News correspondent Jamshed Khan reports that security has been beefed up while a traffic plan has been chalked out in which alternate routes have been provided for people coming from coming different areas.

People from different areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab have grouped in large numbers for the march.

Khan and PTI’s central leadership is expected to come and address the rally in some time.

2:38pm

The Express Tribune correspondent Zahid Gishkori reports that hundreds of participants have started to march towards China Chowk from PTI Central Secretariat, carrying the party’s flags.

2:05pm

The Express Tribune correspondent Zahid Gishkori reports that Khan reached Islamabad on Sunday to lead the protest.

Hundreds of PTI workers and party leaders are making arrangements and using all necessary options to make the march successful, which is expected to be attended by thousands of people.

The party's chairman will address the crowd.

Background

Gilani, who had earlier been convicted in a contempt case by the Supreme Court after he refused to write letters to Swiss authorities asking them to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardar, has been asked by the opposition and other political parties to step down as prime minister.

Today, Khan held a meeting to chalk strategy of how to force the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to implement Supreme Court’s orders, PTI leaders told The Express Tribune.

Khan also discussed how to carry out a successful march with PTI President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi in order to knock out Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML–N) which has already started a movement against Gilani, party leaders revelaed.

To pave the way for the big show on Sunday, PTI workers held a solidarity walk on Saturday – Mashal tsunami –which started from Super Market and ended at the official residence of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Around a thousand workers of PTI, led by PTI’s Women Wing President, Fauzia Kasuri and party leader Sardar Azhar Tariq who presented a bouquet to the family members of the chief justice.

“The participants will pay tribute to the chief justice of Pakistan for taking bold steps for the supremacy of justice in Pakistan,” Khan said earlier.

PTI Information Secretary Shafqat Mehmood said, “It will be a big show to show solidarity with the Supreme Court of Pakistan.”

A slideshow of pictures from the rally can be viewed here. 

 

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly mentioned today's rally as 'tsunami march' instead of 'judiciary solidarity rally'. The correction has been made.