PTI to wage 'jihad' against inflation, slavery to US

PTI anti-inflation 'tsunami' to hit Sindh on January 6, Rawalpindi on January 24.

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a large protest rally against price hikes in Lahore on Sunday.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan addressed the rally and laid out his party's plans for a "jihad against inflation and "slavery to America". He warned that inflation in the country was going to rise in the coming days.

Imran said that rampant corruption, too few people paying taxes, government over expenditure, excess printing of the Pakistani rupee, the elite safeguarding their wealth abroad and tax breaks for the rich were the major causes for rising inflation in the country.

The PTI Chairman vowed further street protests calling for an end to these problems. He cited a number of solutions the PTI would have undertaken if it was in power.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

                                                                                 End of Live Updates

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6:27pm

Imran Khan addresses the rally:

• On January 6, PTI's tsunami against inflation will reach Sindh. On January 24, we will reach Rawalpindi.

• We have decided to wage Jihad against inflation and most of all, against slavery to America.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6:25pm

Imran Khan addresses the rally:

• They say K-P steals electricity. If they give us complete control over electricity, we'll show them how to eliminate theft.

• 1,700 servants in the governor house. Who is paying for all this expenditure? You are.

• If 3 million people in this country were taxed, it would yield a revenue of Rs 300 billion.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6:20pm

Imran Khan addresses the rally:

• There is a very simple reason for blocking NATO supplies. We don't want to fight a war with America. We just want to convey our message (stop drones) very clearly and emphatically.

• How would PTI have stopped inflation? Answer: We would stop printing money. This government has printed Rs850 billion worth of notes in eight months.

• As long as you don't collect taxes from the rich, as long as you keep giving them tax breaks, inflation will remain high.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6:15pm

Imran Khan addresses the rally:

• As long as the elite politicians and businessmen of this country keep their wealth abroad, prices will remain high and this nation will stay burdened with back-breaking taxes.

Imran demands that the rich bring back the billions of dollars they have in international banks to Pakistan.

• Those who have such huge amounts abroad...how can they look America in the eye? That's why they never do.

• Pakistan needs investment, which will never come if corruption isn't eliminated (like it has been in KP). Tell Imran khan the moment you find a corrupt minister in KP. Imran Khan will not let anyone off the hook...not even the chief minister.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6:10pm

Imran Khan addresses the rally:

• We accepted the election results for the sake of the country, but we never accepted rigging.

• For all those people who are buried under inflation, I've personally seen its effects on the nation...let me tell you, this inflation is nowhere close to stopping. It will only increase.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5:36pm

Imran Khan will be addressing the rally at High Court chowk, Express News reports.

The rally is running considerably off-schedule.

Imran Khan will start his Speech in 5 mins #ISF #PakAgainstInflation

— ISF Punjab Official (@ISFPunjab) December 22, 2013

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5:20pm

PTI leaders claiming large numbers have come out for the rally.

PTI's protest gathering has broken all previous records. Ppl have come out in huge numbers against 'zalimana mehngai'! #PakAgainstInflation

— Senator Ejaz Chaudhary (@EjazChaudhary) December 22, 2013

Lights have been turned on at the rally - #PakAgainstInflation rally moving towards Punjab Assembly #PTI

— Awab Alvi (@DrAwab) December 22, 2013

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5:15pm

The PTI rally is growing in numbers as the sun sets.

Photos from PTI's official Facebook page below:









……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4:20pm

While PTI supporters are gathering to take part in the rally against inflation, the Punjab government has organised musical programs at the Race Course, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park and Minar-e-Pakistan.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4:15pm

A few tweets about those participating in PTI's anti-price hike rally.

All modes of transportation welcome #PakAgainstInflation pic.twitter.com/cR2EhmiUUg

— Awab Alvi (@DrAwab) December 22, 2013

https://twitter.com/saadiqbalpti/status/414650551817617408

At mall road This man travelled all the way from Gojrah to attend #PakAgainstInflation pic.twitter.com/ZoO9JZDDdi

— Mujtaba Sharf (@MujtabaSharf) December 22, 2013

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4:10pm

PTI's central information secretary Shireen Mazari while talking to Express News said her party invited all political forces to join hands against rising prices of basic necessities.

Mazari added that she has received complaints regarding police stopping PTI supporters at various places in the city.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4:00pm

Responding to accusations of stopping PTI supporters from reaching the rally site, Sanaullah said he will resign if PTI can prove PML-N or the Punjab government is involved in creating hindrances.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3:55pm

PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah while speaking to Express News claimed that the residents of Lahore have rejected Imran’s negative politics.

He urged the PTI leader to work towards improving the situation in the country rather than creating an environment of conflict.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3:24pm

PTI chairman Imran Khan is on his way to the venue on a customised truck. He is accompanied by PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) ameer Syed Munawar Hassan, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed and others.



……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3:05pm

The Twitter hashtag #Pakagainstinflation is being used by the PTI for this rally.

Some top tweets from the hastag below:

Nasir Bagh #Pakistan is against inflation! #ISF #PTI #PakAgainstInflation pic.twitter.com/F0T3hTgIV0

— Mujtaba Sharf (@MujtabaSharf) December 22, 2013

Crowd growing stronger and all charged at Lahore for rally against inflation. via @huma_maqsood #PakAgainstInflation pic.twitter.com/Ktbuonghft

— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 22, 2013

Massive crowd building up at mall road heading towards Nasir bagh, Lahore. #PakAgainstInflation pic.twitter.com/cuOFE6Ryfu

— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 22, 2013

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

3:00pm

Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have started gathering at Lahore’s Nasir Bagh for the party’s anti-inflation rally.

A heavy contingent of security personnel is also deployed in the area to ensure peace.

Banners and sign boards bashing recent price hike and party flags can be seen on the city’s Mall Road.