LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The PTI said Monday that it would not end the sit-in until its “stolen” mandate is returned, the Constitution is restored, and party founder Imran Khan is freed, just days before its “decisive” power display in Islamabad.
Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, cautioned the provincial government to use restraint and let the peaceful march of PTI workers on the federal capital during a press conference.
In a separate statement, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram declared that November 24 will be a “day of deliverance,” with a wave of people poised to overthrow the “imposed” rulers.
He declared that unless their demands were met, demonstrators would not leave Islamabad. In response to Hasan Nawaz’s bankruptcy declaration in a tax case by a British court, he claimed that the Sharif family was a constant cause of embarrassment for Pakistan.
An opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly says the government is searching the residences of party leaders and members.
In order to recover the party’s “stolen” mandate, secure the release of Imran Khan and the other party leaders and employees who have been arrested, and return the constitution to its pre-26th amendment state, he said PTI had completed preparations for the demonstration on November 24.
Mr. Akram emphasized that peaceful assembly is an unalienable right guaranteed by the constitution and that no authority could reject it, warning the government against employing force to stop the PTI’s march.
Leaders will not be able to stop people from marching to the federal capital, he said, accusing the Punjab government of capturing PTI leaders and members.
He condemned the actions taken to put an end to the movement, saying that they would unavoidably backfire because the repressive methods would not accomplish the government’s desired goals but would instead exacerbate social unrest and hostility.
According to Mr. Akram, everyone was looking forward to November 24 in order to celebrate the “day of deliverance” and ensure Mr. Khan’s release.
The PTI leader responded to the ruling of the British court by claiming that the Sharifs could get away with it in Pakistani graft cases because they had reportedly appointed selected individuals to important posts. But in the UK, he continued, they cannot avoid responsibility.
He urged people to travel to Islamabad on November 24 in order to permanently say goodbye to the “Form-47” government.
Bhachar’s caution
“The PTI has no plans to clash, but if the police unleash fascism, the public may retaliate and pelt stones,” stated the opposition leader in the Punjab legislature.
He promised that nonviolent protests would not allow the carrying of guns.
Mr. Bhachar asserted that on November 24, PTI would deliver a “big surprise.”
In addition to pillaging their belongings, he claimed that Punjab police had already begun raiding the homes of party lawmakers, leaders, office-bearers, and employees and acting inappropriately with their families.
Since the demonstration could evolve into a days-long sit-in, he asked party leaders, employees, and supporters to arrive “prepared.”
“These are policy decisions and cannot be disclosed beforehand,” the opposition leader said in response to some concerns.
In response to a query, he stated that on February 8, people buried the government’s narrative lies from May 9. He noted that the PTI has been calling for the creation of a judicial committee to look into the events of May 9.
Mr. Bhachar responded that the party was following orders from Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, the head of PTI Punjab, when asked about his participation.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Environment Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb were reprimanded by the opposition leader for leaving Punjab’s citizens in the midst of severe smog while traveling overseas. He asked for information on the Rs. 10 billion allotted for reducing smog.
The agriculture tax law, which imposed a fixed tax of Rs90,000 on all farmers with three acres of agricultural land, was destroyed by the ruling PML-N, Mr. Bhachar bemoaned, adding that farmers did not make enough money to cover the levy. He stated that the government ought to impose high taxes on large landlords who also own factories in order to amass substantial riches.
