Imran asks supporters to come Parade Ground today for celebrations
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf has postponed Islamabad’s lockdown plan after the Supreme Court order to form a commission to probe Panama Leaks issue and announced to observe Youm-e-Tashakur.
The PTI decided to shelve protests scheduled for Nov 2 after today’s hearing at the apex court, where the petitioners agreed to the formation of a judicial body to investigate the matter.
“On the Supreme Court´s advice, we have decided that tomorrow we will thank God and celebrate a day of thanks at (Islamabad´s) parade ground,” Imran Khan told media, speaking outside his home in Islamabad.
Pivoting from protest to peaceful celebration, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday said its November 2 lockdown will instead be marked as a day of thanksgiving in Islamabad.
Addressing a press conference outside Bani Gala, chairman Imran Khan thanked those who were part of his struggle against corruption.
“Go home and rest,” Khan told supporters, “You have to return to Islamabad tomorrow to celebrate thanksgiving at Parade Ground.”
Do you agree or disagree with Imran Khan’s decision to withdraw the dharna call?
“I am elated that the investigation into Nawaz Sharif’s [alleged corruption] will begin day after tomorrow.”
Khan was referring to the Supreme Court’s decision taken early today, where it announced the formation of a judicial commission to probe the allegations against the Sharif family in the Panama Papers.
Read: PTI, govt agree to SC offer on Panamagate commission*
He said he was most grateful to Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak for his time and effort.
Minister Railways Saad Rafique on Twitter said, “We welcome the decision of Imran Khan to withdraw the call of the sit-in. We should trust the apex court.”
While declaring the Supreme Court decision a “victory”, Imran’s announcement is a significant about-turn from what PTI leaders had been saying just hours before.
The party’s spokesman Naeem ad earlier vowed to go ahead with the November 2 protest in the capital.
Although the PTI had been continually proclaiming it would lay siege to the capital on November 2, and had managed to generate sympathy when it came to its position on the Panama Papers leaks, the protest ran into significant roadblocks.
