Facing a barrage of criticism over its upcoming protests on December 16, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday redrew its itinerary and explained what it meant by ‘city and country shutdowns’ in a bid to avoid linking its show-stopping rally with the fall of Dhaka commemorations.
A day earlier in Islamabad, PTI chief Imran Khan had announced that his party would shut down Lahore on December 4, Faisalabad on December 8, Karachi on December 12 and the whole country on December 16, if his longstanding demand for an independent audit of the May 2013 elections was not accepted.
On Monday, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi pointed out that the proposed ‘shutdown’ of cities and the country would not result in the closure of business activities. “We will block the main roads in the main cities and register our protest peacefully,” he added.
Qureshi also announced his party’s rescheduled shutdown programme, saying that the December 16 ‘countrywide shutdown’ would be held two days later on December 18. The PTI vice chairman was holding a news conference after a party meeting.
Another change that the party announced relates to the strike call in Lahore, whose date has been changed from December 4 to December 15 due to ‘unspecified reasons’. However, the party has made no change in its plan for similar strikes in Faisalabad and Karachi. “We have remained peaceful throughout our ongoing sit-in and will remain peaceful in the future as well,” Qureshi said.
In response to a question, he said the party was quite satisfied with what it had achieved so far, adding that the level of support for their cause was still beyond their expectations.
He said that it took the PTI caravans 12 hours to come out of Lahore on August 14 and then the overwhelming response at GT Road delayed their arrival at Islamabad on time. “Due to this delay, many of PTI’s workers – who had reached Islamabad from K-P – went back,” Qureshi added.
He said the party also did not know that its sit-in would continue for so many days - even during Eid and Muharram. “The participation of masses in our countrywide rallies was also beyond expectations.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2014.
COMMENTS (10)
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Since there is no justice or security available in Pakistan, therefore I support decision of PTI of closing all Pakistan.
Since there is no justice or security available in Pakistan, therefore all Pakistan should be closed and all political leaders be shot dead.
Playing with the nation just to satisfy his ego......................
@Emad Express does not represent the entire population of Pakistan. Do not extrapolate these results to the entire populace. I support IK, but brining cities to a standstill was a ludicrous idea and hence, it has been rectified by their management.
On Monday, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi pointed out that the proposed ‘shutdown’ of cities and the country would not result in the closure of business activities. “We will block the main roads in the main cities and register our protest peacefully,” he added.
How very very peaceful - you will create chaos in the city and you expect us to thank you??? Crazy
"‘shutdown’ of cities and the country would not result in the closure of business activities. “We will block the main roads in the main cities and register our protest peacefully,”
So the blocking of road does not close business activities. PTI's leadership is indeed comprised of geniuses
Criticism from whom, the minority?? According to Express survey 67% support Imran Khan's stance; the minority 33% (made up of PMLN PPP, Diesel , ANP etc) are obviously against it. Imran Khan should go ahead and bring Pakistan to a stand still; I support him.
pls watch Ik leaked video on youtube and decide it yourself if they qualify even for the post of clerk.
Once again,PTI's immaturity has surfaced. In respect of Karachi PTI got scared of failure of total shutdown call due to opposition that was voiced by PPP and MQM Could PTI leader not think about the black date of 16th December and how the nation hates that date. Kaptan,please think of a better Plan D
You better remain peaceful. !
If you even dare cast an evil eye on any city or neighborhood of Pakistan , you will regret and so will your 7 generations .