Geared to protest: 100,000 participants targeted at PTI rally

The PTI will protest against the ‘crippling price hike’ under the present govt.

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has tasked its district organisation to ensure the participation of 100,000 people in its protest rally on December 22.

Punjab president Ejaz Chaudhry said the demonstration would help revive the ‘tsunami’. “All party workers have been directed to participate and bring their families, friends and neighbours,” he said. “We will protest against the crippling price hike under the present government.”

He said he expected more than 50,000 people from Lahore. He said other district bodies would participate as well. The demonstration aims to force the government to effectively regulate the demand and supply of household commodities and food items, Chaudhry said.

The protesters will gather at Nasser Bagh at 12 noon and walk to the Lahore High Court. PTI chairperson Imran Khan is expected to lead the rally up to LHC Chowk where he will address the participants.



“We have appointed 13 office bearers for each Lahore district union council,” Chaudhry said. “Each of them has been directed to bring 20 people with them to the demonstration.”

Chaudhry said they wanted to organise a massive protest that would have an impact. He said the price hike had made lives tough, “We want to help change that,” he said.

Khan has said he would present a comprehensive plan to address the price hike. A bill to bar lawmakers, who held assets abroad, from the cabinet, would be introduced at the demonstration, Chaudhry said.

Khan will also propose tax reforms to lessen tax on salaried people, he said.

Chaudhry also condemned the government’s decision to suspend CNG supply for an indefinite period.

Chaudhry said this could result in the closure of factories that relied on natural gas for fuel.

PTI general secretary Yasmin Rashid said there had been a record number of reported deaths due to measles this year. There was a dengue fever break out, even though the chief minister had proudly announced that he had eliminated the threat.

Local govt elections

The Punjab organisation has directed district organisations to send the provincial executive lists of potential candidates for the local government elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2013.