Nov 30 protest: PTI to discuss preparations today

Ejaz Chaudhry says Shaikh Rashid responsible for his own statements.

LAHORE: A meeting of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) lawmakers from the Punjab will be held in Islamabad on Wednesday (today) to finalise arrangements for participating in the November 30 gathering, party’s Punjab president Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry said on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters at the PTI’s Punjab secretariat, Chaudhry said that party workers participation from the Punjab in the November 30 event would be discussed at the meeting.

“We invite all religious and political parties to take part in the protest to raise their voice against injustice,” he said.



Referring to the recent statements by Awami Muslim League Shaikh Rashid Ahmad, Chaudhry said that he was a representative of his party and responsible for his statements. “He is the leader of an allied party. Our party policy is decided by a core committee and Imran Khan,” he said. Chaudhry said that the government wanted to silence all dissenting voices. “We have never wanted violence. Our gatherings have always been very peaceful,” he said.

PTI workers from several districts have been asked to start leaving for Islamabad, starting on November 20.

Supporters from Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha Mianwali, Kasur, Nanakana Sahib, Okara and Lahore have been asked to make their way to Islamabad.

PTI Punjab general secretary Dr Yasmin Rashid criticised MPA Zaeem Qadri for his allegations regarding promotion of violence by Imran Khan. “Zaeem Qadri should be ashamed of levelling baseless allegations against the PTI and its chairman. Despite the Jhelum incident in which eight PTI supporters were injured, the party leadership has asked its supporters to remain peaceful,” she said.

Chaudhry also condemned police action against people protesting against electricity bills in a village in Bahawalnagar district. “Around 3,000 policemen participated in an operation against people protesting against over-billing. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz should not forget that it used to stage similar protests during the PPP government,” he said.

The PTI also announced the formation of a jirga, consisting of representatives of different religions, to end discrimination on the grounds of religion in society after the Kot Radha Kishan incident.

Mufti Abdul Qavi said the purpose of the jirga would be to foster religious harmony. “People will be asked to bring forth any complaint before the jirga and to avoid incidents before they occur. We have to ensure respect for all our citizens and protect them,” he said.

MPA Shanila Ruth said by holding the jirga the party hoped to prevent such incidents in the future.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2014.