Negotiations called off by protesting parties following workers’ arrests

PTI's Azam Swati also detained; party leader Jehangir Tareen vows they will not budge till PM steps down


Web Desk September 13, 2014

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) and Pakistani Awami Tehreek (PAT) have called off negotiations with both the government and the opposition jirga after their workers were arrested on Saturday.

During an emergency press conference that the PTI called today, party leader Jehangir Tareen said, “We have suspended all negotiations. I have informed the opposition jirga of our decision as well.”

He also accused the Punjab police of resorting to state terrorism and warned them not to “test” their patience. “We will not move back an inch,” he said, adding, "We will not end the sit-in till PM Nawaz resigns."

Tareen questioned the judiciary if it was lawful for the police to arrest peaceful workers from their homes and roads.

The party leader also claimed that PTI’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa president Azam Swati was detained and their workers are being mistreated.

The PTI leader added that the government is arresting people out of fear following PTI chief Imran Khan’s announcement to celebrate their month-long protest.

“These arrests have nothing to do with the attack on PTV headquarters,” he elaborated.

He went on to say that the government was "hiding the fact that four to eight people were killed during the clashes between police and protesters two weeks ago."

Tareen said the PTI had submitted an application to register an FIR, nominating PM Nawaz, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and IG police, for the three people killed during clashes with the police two weeks ago. However, the FIR has not been registered yet.

Earlier during the day, PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, while addressing his supporters, announced to suspend negotiations with the government till they release all arrested PAT and PTI workers and leaders.

Qadri claimed that 12 of his personal guards had been arrested.

“When they (guards) went home after their duty, they were picked up from the rooms of their rest house,” Qadri said, adding his guards have been charged for carrying weapons even though they have licenses.

“My guards have been arrested because our security is weak and the police can crackdown on us,” says the PAT chief.

“The end of the incumbent government’s rule is near,” Qadri said.

Concluding his address, Qadri warned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that he would be responsible if his supporters are attacked, adding that they would not let his government remain in power for more than 24 hours.

COMMENTS (16)

Alfa Romeo | 9 years ago | Reply Nawaz Sharif must give a honorable exit to IK. IK only acted on behalf of whom we all know. Now with crowd thinning out, and media uninterested and people disinterested there is no point really for IK to continue to protest.
Blithe | 9 years ago | Reply

@Atif: They thought and Andleep Abbad was Fauzia Kasuri - innocent mistake .

This doesn't mean that stern action should not be taken against Andleep Abbas

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