Talking to the media, Imran said that threats will not keep him from marching to the federal capital on August 14.
“No forces can stop the march on August 14, our supporters and the public will reach there.”
The former-cricketer-turned-politician also asked Punjab police to let them protest peacefully.
Earlier today, while talking exclusively to Express News, he reiterated that he had no plans of talking to the government, and added, “we will talk to them after the August 14 Azadi March.”
In response to a question about the stance of other political parties, said, “I would like to ask the other parties to make a decision. Don’t play on both sides of the wicket – are you with the king (Nawaz Sharif), or are you with democracy?”
Comparing the premier to Hosni Mubarak, who ran a dictatorial regime in Egypt, Imran said, “There is no difference between Nawaz Sharif and Hosni Mubarak’s regime,” adding that the latter was also complicit in rigging, used the police for interference, jailed innocent party workers and had his sons’, “who are like princes”, money lying in foreign banks.
PTI statement
Imran sent a strong message to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stating that now it is a struggle for democracy against baadshahat (kingdom), and the decision will be made at D-chowk, Islamabad on August 14.
“The Sharifs' attempts to stifle democracy and disrupt the whole country by closing major arteries, petrol stations and means of public transport will not work,” said Imran in a statement issued by the party’s secretariat.
He said that after the premier’s attempt to exploit an issue of national security for mere political purposes and a photo op, it has proven that PTI's boycott of this farcical conference was absolutely correct.
After the prime minister’s ridiculous and unsuccessful attempt to try and show that PTI is “isolated”, Imran said that, PTI, under no circumstances, will put forward its future course before arriving in Islamabad for the Azadi March on 14 August.
“The march will come to Islamabad regardless of the barriers the government is trying to put up,” he maintained.
The PTI chief also reminded the nation about the anti-democratic antics of the PML-N and the Sharifs – including those of attacking the Supreme Court and destroying all institutions, merit and indulging in siphoning off billions of public money in personal funds.
Imran called on all parties to join PTI’s fight for democracy against baadshahat. “No one can play both sides of the fence. The time has come to stand up and be counted: for democracy or for baadshahat,” the PTI chief said.
COMMENTS (36)
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Saudi arabia is not a democracy get your facts straight man.@Raza:
so its 15th March (just imagine) Sharif's are in jail and there stand two winners IK & Qadri, what next? Who and how will country be run now onwards, sequence of events?
History (if ever written) will put Imran Khan's name way above Qadri, Sharifs, Zardaris and Bhuttos when they would rank who damaged the country most ruthlessly.
do not worry, workers will be compensated
...and the circus goes on... :-)
We Love you Imran Khan....
And can someone explain to me how people who are so pro-democracy are so happy to accept a flawed election process... They are happy to pay lip service to "improving the electoral system", but dont really want to take any steps that might actually achieve that.
One would think that these people would be outraged, and would be baying for the blood of at least the ECP officials responsible for the whole magnetic ink fiasco, and all those unverified CNIC numbers and repeated thumb impressions? But no, they want to sit and sermonize about how good a new system would be, without taking any steps to make it in any way effective!
O and btw... these champions who think you need to have been winning elections in Pakistan to know how a democracy should work obviously dont understand the difference between how a system is actually working.... and how it SHOULD be working!
PTI has been focusing on the latter.... our seasoned politicians on the other hand are the ones who go around saying things like "election rigging always happens... its part of the system". In typical Pakistani lethargy everyone accepts this and moves on, hoping no one will rock the boat!
Come on guys, you deserve better!
All of these geniuses here.. why dont you guys explain to me why the govt didnt just accept his demand in the first place.
And more importantly, out of all the shortcomings seen in this election, how many people have actually been punished or tried or had any sort of action taken against them? Why is the PMLN govt stupid enough to allow this to snowball?
Their only excuse seems to be "There was also rigging in KPK".... well that doesnt make things better... it makes them worse! It means the election is even less credible!
I understand it is standard Pakistani practice to brush everything under the carpet and pretend it never happend because its too much effort to actually stand up for something against someone, but at least think for five minutes before criticising someone who has the guts to do what everyone else doesnt!
Very ironic. It seems that only IK knows what is democracy. Everything else is "monarchy".
There was time when it used to be said there only two types of politics in Pakistan.... pro-PPP and anti-PPP....
Looking at the comments I guess Khan has taken that mantle away from them....
@ Ayesha M
Could not agree with you more, the way we treat our elected PM makes me wonder what the Oxfords of today teach??? But i guess we the inferior minds / voters only know nehari, patwari and naseebo lal: And the only reason for our intellectual bankrupcy is that we are not the Holy IKs facebook mates..lol
Really concerned about the security of IK, hope he has written his Will. Being the first born, I suppose another Daughter of nation will rule us.
Selfish Imran's real face stands exposed in front of whole Pakistani nationa,he want to be PM at any cost even by hook or by crook, he is not least bit bothered or concerned that his drama will lead to instability,chaos and violence which our country simply can't afford ,all he is interested that he some how becomes Prime Minister through some shot cut and some unconstitutional mean,his tainted past (2002 dictator support) (2012 Pasha support) is testament to the fact that he would never ever come to power in any constitutional or democratic manner .
Shame on him!
Nawaz Sharif should hold a vote on whether there should be mid-term elections in Parliament and the parliament will vote no and guess what? Then they can say it was democratic decision that there were no mid-terms and Imran Khan will be left dumb-founded :P haha!
Having Facebook friends doesn't mean you will win the elections. iK is as delusional as his mentor Musharraf .
Delusion of Grandeur!
Imran, Please don't spoil our independence day. Use your brain if you have any.
Mr. Imran Khan Niazi, where is no KPK that was to be built within 90 days. Now more than a year is gone. Shame for PTI.
Imran, you are the biggest hurdle in country's progress. Allah bless Pakistan. Allah bless Nawaz Sharif.
PMLN we the nation is with you. Those questioning your mandate have themselves been exposed in KI of rigging. Do u what u must, we will vote u back if it gets to that :)
@Aysha M: You are right.
True Tabdeeli would have meant a clear and proper stance and direction towards "GENUINE" change. Which means: Strong Autonomy to Provinces, Strong Autonomy to Local Governments, Devolution of power to the Council Level, Local Policing, Local Courts, Independence of Bureaucracy from Executive, Arms Control, Abolition of Quota System.
Instead, the only message he gives to us is: "Just make me PM, so my life's dream can be fulfilled - thats all I care about"
@Usman: " Imran Khan is one politician who knows the ins and outs of a working democracy" Really? Is he a PhD in 'working democracy'? Half of his political life has been either boycott or defeat. He won 1 seat after running in 12 places across Pakistan in the 2002 elections (which btw, he ran for during a dictatorial regime - aham, ie, anti-democratic). The 2013 elections is his first real experience as a political party in opposition. So, I don't really see Mr. Usman, how or why you think that Imran Khan is such an expert that he would happen to know the "ins" and "outs" of a working democracy. He was a sportsman/socialite turned philanthropist turned politician. At best, he is another guy in this dirty race to get the top slot, either by hook or crook.
His slogan of "tabdeeli" is a farce. We can see that in KP. His party is filled with feudals and tribals who have spent their political careers serving the same political dynasties (Sharifs, Bhuttos) who have ruined Pakistan and now have joined Imran claiming they would bring change with him.
Stop being so blind. Sharif, Khan, Bilawal, etc, etc. - no difference - they are all the same.
@Blithe: lol. elected PM. lol
@Blithe: You are so not a leader. Absolutely lacklustre first tenure as a parliamentarian. All this just over premiership? No clear stance on LB elections, land reform, deweaponization and smaller provinces. PMs are not very popular people, you could have been so much more than a PM. But Imran Khan Niazi, you are so not a leader, just an aspirant of the the executive slot.
@Blithe: NS might be selected PM of yours but def not of People of Pak
What a stupid analogy he is making?!?!?
Nawaz Sharif is our elected PM . He is by no stretch a king. The 18th amendment gives more powers to the CMs then the PM.
It's not Nawaz Sharif's fault that PTI has been an unmitigated disaster in KPK!
Have to agree with Imran Khan there, Nawaz learns how to run a dictatorship from his trips to the middle east, and then considers himself a Sheikh trying to run a Kingdom. He has no idea how a democracy functions, for a self proclaimed protector of democracy. Imran Khan is one politician who knows the ins and outs of a working democracy and knows how it's supposed to function.
thunder of Khan.
Ok. So now there is still time for talks after the azadi march!
Well said Imran Khan! We are with you! These Nihari voters, aka Naseebo-League supporters, dont understand that Nawaz Sharif has become PM just to protect his business interests and make sure his family members can live a luxurious life! Just look how their police thugs killed 8 innocent Pakistanis in Lahore today, once again!
Imran Khan claims he is championing democracy... Somebody tell him that democracy is moved forward through dialogue not senseless marches that will cause the economy needless harm...
And if he says he is leading the march against monarchy as he claims he is , im sorry to inform him but you cannot lead a march against a monarchy and have your demands met or even considered... Take a look at Bahrain or Saudi Arabia where anyone threatening to speak against the government is jailed and his assets seized.
Good for nothing establishment pawn who couldn't get more 35 seats in all of Pakistan and is now behaving as if he the next best thing to sliced bread .
In a country where political compromises is a way of life, this man stands out. Khan I salute you for your principled stance!