PTI chief addresses participants of ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ march via video link in Rawat on Saturday
LAHORE
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan Saturday gave a call to people to reach Rawalpindi on November 26 as part of his long march. Khan has called on all of Pakistan, his party and its supporters to reach the destination on November 26. “I will meet you there,” he said.
He said that his life is still in danger after the Wazirabad assassination attempt against him.
Addressing the participants from the long march via a video link on Saturday, Imran Khan said that he received letters before his rallies in the past six months, warning him about the threat to his life. “I knew that they were making a plan to kill me but I still proceeded,” Imran added.
He said that those who had tried the previous attack against him were still present and so there was a persistent threat to his life.
Khan said that the nation cannot afford to remain neutral at the current juncture. “If you remain neutral today then your children and coming generations will regret that you sat in homes when you should have struggled against injustice,” the former prime minister told masses.
“I have no need to risk my life and set out but it was in my mind from childhood that death is better than slavery. This is slavery what is happening. I as an ex-prime minister could not register my FIR … so think what rights you as the nation have,” Imran said.
He said humans had rights and until they did not stand up for their rights then society would remain a jungle.
He also hit out against Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, claiming that he has “no future” in politics. “He still can’t speak Urdu properly and people can’t understand him. I predict that most of his life will be spent on finding where his father has stashed money from corruption.”
Imran alleged that the scions of the other political parties were all “children prepared for money laundering”.
The PTI Chairman criticised and condemned the treatment meted out to his party workers and supporters during the previous long march to Islamabad in May.
“I will never forget what the incumbent government did to us on May 25 earlier this year,” he said, alleging that security personnel had entered the homes of PTI workers and harassed their families.
He said that leaders in the government were involved in “money laundering, fascism, criminals, getting people killed [and] using police for killing”, pointing to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah in particular.
Khan said the establishment can either take the country in a positive or negative direction.
He said that he had a question for the establishment, to which he still had not received an answer. “What was it that in 3.5 years these people (Sharif and Zardari families) were bathed in that they suddenly became acceptable for the establishment and were placed over us?” Imran questioned.
He asked whether the establishment was not aware of their past, adding that the agencies had all details on their histories and past dealings. “My question is after seven months tell me any one thing they did better in the country.”
Khan also alleged that the PML-N and “Dirty Harry” were behind a private news channel expose story against him.
“They made the story on me about what I did with the watch,” he said, adding that he had to “sadly” say he would not get justice from local courts and that is why he would be approaching international courts. “I know I will get justice there,” Imran said, adding that he was familiar with how those courts operated.
He showed his disappointment in the journalist community for its alleged lack of action on the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif.
“If you don’t take a stand on this and … you should have taken a stand on how cases were registered against him and threats that were given to him,” Imran said, adding that Sharif’s family knew the identity of those who were threatening the slain journalist.
He said the matter was not about him but the entire nation. He also thanked the people for participating in his party’s long march to Islamabad.
He said that he was on the streets since his government was removed from power. “PTI has been waking up the people of the country through this march. I’ve never seen this situation since the 26 years of my politics. Even the youth, the children [are participating],” he said.
Imran said he thanked God that the people were now awake, adding that a nation truly rises when it becomes conscious about its rights.
Imran Khan has highlighted the significance of awareness, saying that anation who is enlightened, struggles for freedom.
The PTI chief reiterated that his government was ousted through the conspiracy, while people – involved in criminal activities – have been imposed on the country.
Berating the rulers – especially Minister of Interior – Imran Khan accused Rana Sanaullah of involving in the killing of 18 people. He also lashed out at the rulers – over May 25 incident – saying that the PTI’s workers were tortured brutally – which he will remember forever.
Meanwhile, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi visited the party camp in Rawat. He was accompanied by Amir Dogar, Zain Qureshi, Wasiq Qayyum, Umar Butt, Malika Bukhar, Raja Haseeb Kayani, and Raja Waheed Qasim, among others.
Educational institutions in the vicinity of Rawat also remained closed. Inside the fuel pumps, units of the Punjab police have been posted.
Moreover, one track of the Grand Trunk (GT) Road was closed to traffic near Chak Beli Mor. The other track, however, was kept open.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration granted the PTI permission to hold their rally in the federal capital.
According to a notification issued by the office of the district magistrate for ICT, the PTI sought permission to hold a public rally on November 19.
PTI also sought permission to hold the rally from Koral Chowk in Islamabad to Chak Beli Mor in Rawat via Islamabad Expressway Highway through T-Cross.
Noting that the courts had directed to work out a mechanism with political parties for holding rallies, and with directions to strictly comply with the regulations and terms, permission was granted.
The notice noted that since Section 144 has been imposed in the federal capital, the permission has been granted as an exception and will only be valid for the rally on the approved route.
It warned against blocking any other road, including the Islamabad Expressway and GT Road. It also held the PTI responsible if force is used in case of violation of terms.
PTI was also directed to ensure the right of way for fire brigades, ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
Moreover, vehicles and people participating in the rally will be subject to checking by the police and other law enforcement bodies.
With Section 144 in force, no participants would be allowed to enter the Red Zone. DNA
