What will the PTI's "Haqeeqi Azaadi" March achieve?

[MenInG]

So, we have PTI getting people together in large numbers, all seems to be building up to something but to what?

What are the aims that PTI have - and what will be the actual outcome?

Will it hurt Pakistan or make it a better place?

 

[PakLFC]

It will be both. To clean a corrupt system sacrifices will have to be made. My greatest fear is a civil conflict between people and military. IK must be wary of this at all costs.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Wednesday his ‘Haqeeqi Azadi Movement’ would continue till the announcement of free and fair elections in the country.

Addressing a large number of participants on day 6 of the long march, Imran said one should not think that this march would conclude after reaching Islamabad, adding that his movement would continue for even 10 months.

 

[Varun]

I hope for his sake it actually leads to something.

Imran Khan since his overthrow has become an offline Twitter handle: all talk no result.

 

[Pakpak]

Considering the ridiculous press conferences by the estb it's probably an end to their role would be one of the aims. Rana is also begging for daily talks

 

[Pakpak]

I hope for his sake it actually leads to something.

Imran Khan since his overthrow has become an offline Twitter handle: all talk no result.

Because had his supporters responded to the brutality in the last March things would have gotten out of control. If someone wants civil war then yeah let's go all out.

He's waited and its paid off, estb and their image has never been worse.

 

[Arsal_AK]

Difficult to answer since PTI themselves don't know.

 

[Mamoon]

It will achieve nothing but it will have the following consequences before the fake messiah runs away as usual:

1. Innocent people will die
2. The lives of the citizens will be disrupted, businesses will be impacted

The real question is, how many innocent lives have to die for the fake messiah to realize that these circus shows are pointless?

Last time he ran away after 1 day, leaving his supporters confused. They didn’t know to stay or go back to their homes.

The desperation of Imran is becoming out of control. He is an insane man who is beyond hope and repair now. The time has gone to put him behind bars.

 

[Cricket-lion]

Are you happy with Khan shot?

 

[Bewal Express]

I want him behind bars not dead, it serves no purpose. He needs to live and die a natural death so that he can reflect on his actions and how he destroyed the nation.

But I am happy the circus show ended before it took off.

So your crooks change laws and destroy the economy- murder people and your too cowardly to call them out but Its IKs fault What happened to your real PM? Any achievements?

 

[daytrader]

PTI announces nationwide protests post-Friday prayers on Day 8 of long march
Asad says protests to continue until Imran's demand met; announcement comes day after PTI chief escapes assassination

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) General Secretary Asad Umar announced nationwide protests will be held after Friday prayers and that demonstrations will be conducted until the demand of PTI Chairman Imran Khan is met.

The PTI senior leader took to his Twitter handle to make the announcement just a day after the party chief narrowly escaped an assassination attempt.

“Today, after the Friday prayer, there will be a protest in the whole country. Until Imran Khan's demand is met, nationwide protests will continue,” Umar said in the tweet.

The former prime minister sustained a bullet wound to his leg after an armed attack on his container, as he led the Pakistan PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’ in Wazirabad on Thursday.

One person died in the incident, while several members of the PTI chairman’s close circle, including Senator Faisal Javaid, former Sindh governor Imran Ismail, Ahmad Chattha and Imran Yousaf, were injured, party sources said.

PTI supporters took to the streets in protest hours after the assassination attempt on the party chief on day 7 of the long march.

Angry protesters attacked the residence of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah in his hometown of Faisalabad. Protesters also took to the streets in Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi and other parts of the country.

The PTI protesters clashed with police at Faizabad Interchange in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The capital police used heavy tear gas shelling to disperse the protesters, while a woman was detained.

Former ruling party workers, led by Punjab Minister Fayyaz Chauhan and National Assembly Member Sadaqat Abbasi also staged protests on Murree Road, Peshawar Road, GT Road, Kalar Saedaan Road and at other places.

The National Highways and Motorway Police said that PTI workers staged protests by burning tyres in Rawat, Gujar Khan, Suhawa, Wah Cantt and other places.

As soon as the news about the gun attack on Imran’s convoy spread, PTI workers came out on roads in Peshawar. Some provincial ministers and assembly members also joined them.

The workers marched from Hashtnagari to the Assembly Chowk. Angry marchers also attacked a police armoured vehicle during the protest, however, traffic continued on GT Road and Khyber Road continued to ply.

Express Tribune

 

[daytrader]

39 conditions put forth for PTI’s march
District administration will permit Imran to hold rally for just one day

ISLAMABAD:
The administration of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) has sought an affidavit affirming 39 conditions to grant permission to the PTI to lead its “Haqeeqi Azadi March” into the federal capital.

The administration has asked for the document to be signed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan, after which it would allow the former premier to hold a rally in the capital for just one day, following which it wants him to disperse, along with his supporters.

According to the conditions, permission needs to be taken from the administration 12 hours before the rally, and the “illegal” use of loudspeakers would be prohibited. Moreover, rhetoric related to religion would have to be avoided, and no weapons would be allowed into the venue. The administration has also asked the organisers to ensure that no national or party flags would be burnt at the rally.

Read IHC summons govt official over delay in long march NOC to PTI

The former ruling party has been told that there will be a complete ban on the use or serving of intoxicating substances at the march, and the Islamabad Police will be permitted to check all the people and vehicles coming to the rally. Furthermore, the entry of children under the age of 18 would be prohibited.

It also stated that if the administration had to use force to maintain law and order, Imran would be responsible for the law.

It sought an affirmation that no road would be blocked during the march, adding that if any provision in the affidavit is violated, the administration would take action against the former premier.

It linked any such violation to the violation of the orders of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which also amounts to contempt of court.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took to the streets in different parts of the country against the party chief and former premier Imran Khan's assassination bid.

As per reports, PTI supporters have started gathering at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's (K-P) Peshawar Toll Plaza. All workers of the Peshawar district are expected to protest at the toll plaza.

Meanwhile, the GT Road from Chakbeli Mor in Rawalpindi was blocked as violent protests erupted against the assassination attempt on the PTI chief.

A heavy presence of both motorway police and district police are present at the protest venue.

Moreover, protesters have also set tires on fire and blocked the road. As a result of the blockade, passengers from both sides of the road are facing problems.

PTI workers have also started gathering outside the Allama Iqbal Park in Rawalpindi. Party MNAs Ali Nawaz and Khurram Nawaz are also present at the venue.

According to PTI, people begin to gather for protest outside Insaf House in Karachi.

PTI workers also protested against the attack on the PTI chief at Faizabad Interchange in the twin cities.

Protest by PTI workers underway in Faisalabad.

PTI workers in Charsadda are protesting at Farooq Azam Chowk under the leadership of Provincial Law Minister Fazal Shakoor Khan. Workers burned tires, blocking roads and disrupting traffic.

Protest outside the Governor House in Lahore turned violent after protestors burnt tyres and damaged public property. They also tried to jump over the official residence's gate and threw burning tyres inside.

The police of the federal capital have asked the Rawalpindi administration to stop protesters from carrying out "illegal actions" while protesting at Faizabad. They added that protesters had pelted police with stones and were carrying sticks and slingshots.

A demonstration was also held in Punjab's Vehari by Central Deputy Secretary Information Zahid Iqbal Chaudhry.

Earlier, PTI General Secretary Asad Umar announced nationwide protests will be held after Friday prayers and that demonstrations will continue until the demand of PTI Chairman Imran Khan is met.

The PTI senior leader took to his Twitter handle to make the announcement just a day after the party chief escaped an assassination attempt.

“Today, after the Friday prayer, there will be a protest in the whole country. Until Imran Khan's demand is met, nationwide protests will continue,” Umar said in the tweet.

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry also announced the party’s plan and said in a tweet that the party has called for a nationwide strike after Friday prayers, further urging every Pakistani to participate in this protest.

Former human rights minister and senior party leader Shireen Mazari demanded that assassination planners, that the PTI chief has named, must be sacked.

Protests in some parts of the country have, however, begun post-Friday prayers.

Earlier today, Khyber and Mohmand districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) saw huge crowds in the streets protesting against the assassination attempt.

Protest is also underway in Sindh's Umarkot against the assassination attempt on the PTI chief.

PTI Islamabad’s Twitter handle had also shared points where the protests will take place in the city.

Imran to address nation shortly

Chairman Imran Khan will address the nation at 4pm today, according to the party’s Peshawar division Twitter handle.

The former prime minister will address the nation for the first time after he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during the party’s long march in Punjab’s Wazirabad yesterday.


'Imran more determined'

Former foreign minister and PTI Vice President Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that he met Imran Khan last night when he was brought into the recovery room after the operation.

Talking to the ARY News, Qureshi furthered that the PTI chief is more determined and confident than before and said that Imran knew that he could be attacked.

“He [Imran Khan] knew that he could be attacked… that a plot of an attack was being made to eliminate him but he is so brave that he decided to continue his march,” the ex-minister said.

Qureshi also said that the deposed premier has clarity on who he wants to name for the assassination attempt and that the party has decided to register a first information report (FIR) against them.

It is pertinent to note that in a video statement, accompanied by a fellow party member and provincial minister Aslam Iqbal, Umar had disclosed that both of them had a conversation with Imran after the attack and the PTI chief had revealed that he already had information about it.

The former minister had said the PTI chief was certain that the men who had planned the attack were Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Major General Faisal Naseer.

Capital police form treatment squads

In wake of the call for protest from PTI, the Islamabad police have formed treatment squads against those who may spread unrest, block roads or create chaos during the demonstrations.

The capital police have given the squads the police code of 'First Aid'. Under the code, those causing disorder, vandalism or blockade of roads will be punished with first degree, which includes four to six canes from the waist down.

The police have formed 100 such 'First Aid' treatment squads in which four to six young policemen have been included.

Moreover, IG Islamabad has informed subordinate officers about the comprehensive strategy to keep the roads open in the capital and all the arrangements have been completed in the sub-jail CIA centre.

Police forces will also be on high alert and patrolling major entry and exit points in urban areas.

Rashid announces protest venue

A procession came out from Lal Haveli under the leadership of Awami Muslim League (AML) chief and PTI ally Sheikh Rashid against the attack on the PTI chief .

The participants will march up to Rawalpindi’s Committee Chowk.

Earlier, Rashid announced that a demonstration against the attack on Imran will take place outside Lal Haveli.

The former interior minister had made the comments as he appeared in a high court in a case of sloganeering against the PML-N leadership in Saudi Arabia.

“I will talk about politics today at 2 PM. We have to save this country and take it towards betterment,” he said.


Lawyers protest

Lawyers in Punjab observed a strike in District Kachhari on an appeal of the Punjab Bar Council. As a result, all courtrooms were empty after 10am.

They boycotted court proceedings and hearings of cases were adjourned without a proceeding.


The former prime minister had sustained a bullet wound to his leg after an armed attack on his container, as he led the Pakistan PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’ in Wazirabad on Thursday.

One person died in the incident, while several members of the PTI chairman’s close circle, including Senator Faisal Javaid, former Sindh governor Imran Ismail, Ahmad Chattha and Imran Yousaf, were injured, party sources said.

PTI supporters took to the streets in protest hours after the assassination attempt on the party chief on day 7 of the long march.

Read Social media reacts to targeted attack on Imran Khan

Angry protesters attacked the residence of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah in his hometown of Faisalabad. Protesters also took to the streets in Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi and other parts of the country.

The PTI protesters clashed with police at Faizabad Interchange in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The capital police used heavy tear gas shelling to disperse the protesters, while a woman was detained.

Former ruling party workers, led by Punjab Minister Fayyaz Chauhan and National Assembly Member Sadaqat Abbasi also staged protests on Murree Road, Peshawar Road, GT Road, Kalar Saedaan Road and at other places.

Also Read Political assassinations: have we learnt any lessons?

The National Highways and Motorway Police said that PTI workers staged protests by burning tyres in Rawat, Gujar Khan, Suhawa, Wah Cantt and other places.

As soon as the news about the gun attack on Imran’s convoy spread, PTI workers came out on roads in Peshawar. Some provincial ministers and assembly members also joined them.

The workers marched from Hashtnagari to the Assembly Chowk. Angry marchers also attacked a police armoured vehicle during the protest, however, traffic continued on GT Road and Khyber Road continued to ply.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was ousted by a no-confidence vote in early April, is making a major push to return to power. The former international cricket star has won several by-elections and led big protest rallies -- and even escaped an assassination attempt. Khan has also locked horns with the country’s powerful army, which has ruled the country for about half of its 75-year existence. He wants the new government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to call early elections, which Khan thinks he would win comfortably.

1. What is Imran Khan’s plan and what are the obstacles?

The ex-premier warned before his ouster that he’d be more “dangerous” leading popular protests on the streets. Since then, he has demanded the 13-party coalition government that replaced him set a date for early elections, which aren’t due until October 2023. On Oct. 25 this year, he called on his supporters to march from across the country toward Islamabad, the capital, in a bid to pressure Sharif. Ten days later Khan, who is 70, was shot in the leg during a march. He blamed his successor and a senior general for the attack, which killed a Khan supporter. Both Sharif and the military condemned the shooting. The violence prompted an outpouring of sympathy for Khan, who showed no sign of backing down. (In 2014 Khan led a 126-day sit-in protest in Islamabad in a failed bid to dislodge then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the elder brother of the current premier.) Separately, Khan faces several legal efforts to disqualify him as a lawmaker including corruption and criminal cases that may lead to his conviction and jail sentence.


2. Why was Khan ousted?

During his turbulent 3 1/2 years in office, Khan demonstrated an approach to governing that critics characterized as haphazard and inconsistent. Facing a balance-of-payments crisis, he delayed seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund. He finally did so in 2019, only to see the program suspended in 2020 because of the pandemic. The plan was revived last year -- after another stall -- after Khan agreed to tougher conditions, including raising oil prices and electricity tariffs. But a few months later, Khan cut domestic fuel costs and power rates to soothe public anger over rising living costs, again putting the IMF program in jeopardy only to be revived again by the Sharif administration in August.

3. Why is Khan still fighting?

He has accused Sharif and other politicians of conspiring with the US to topple his government because -- he says -- he had been increasingly critical of Washington while seeking better relations with Russia and China. Khan provided no proof for his claim, which was denied by the US, the Sharif government and Pakistan’s military. However, his conspiracy theory, has gone down well with his supporters. In by-elections in October, Khan won six out of seven seats that he personally contested, demonstrating his continued popular appeal.


4. Why is the military’s position important?

Pakistan’s military has outsized power in a country conceived as a democracy. There have been three successful military coups. When Khan became prime minister, it was only the second time since the creation of Pakistan in 1947 that a civilian administration had transferred power to another. Even when elected governments are in power, the military, especially its spy wing has played a forceful role in foreign and security policies. The armed forces have entrenched positions in the economy through land ownership and shareholdings in large corporations.

5. Did the military support Khan?

Khan has said his relations with the military for his first three years in power were “excellent,” and that he and General Qamar Javed Bajwa were on “same page” on all issues -- an arrangement critics referred to as a hybrid regime. In behind-the-scenes maneuvers, the armed forces helped him survive several previous moves by opponents to remove him from power, according to interviews Khan gave after his ouster. (The military has denied helping him.) His government extended Bajwa’s term as army chief for another three years in 2019. However, relations soured in October 2021 when General Faiz Hameed, the ISI chief and a Khan favorite, was moved to a less significant post. The military announced his replacement, General Nadeem Ahmad Anjum, three weeks before the government did, sparking reports of a rift between Khan and Bajwa. When a new challenge to Khan’s leadership arose this year, the military apparently didn’t back him, opposition parties and analysts say.


6. What’s at stake?

The country’s foreign reserves have fallen to a three-year low and a $1 billion bond payment is due in December. Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the country’s rating deep into junk, citing the impact of mid-year floods that have caused more than $30 billion in damage to the economy. The rupee has plumbed new lows against the dollar. Shehbaz Sharif and his finance minister, Ishaq Dar, have vowed to meet the country’s financial obligations, including the bond payment and completing the agreement with the IMF. The premier has promised a more balanced foreign policy, seeking good ties with “all-weather friend” China while also seeking better relations with the US and Europe. In September, Pakistan joined China in abstaining on the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution condemning Russia’s “attempted illegal annexation” of Ukraine.



Bloomberg L.P.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar announced that countrywide protests will be held for the second consecutive day at 5pm on Saturday (today), ARY News reported Saturday.

Taking to Twitter, Umar said the PTI’s local organisations would announce the location for the protests in their respective cities while he would be attending a demonstration at Lahore’s Liberty Chowk.

The announcement comes hours after Imran Khan addressed nation and called off the anti-government movement that he kicked off from Lahore on October 28.

 

[daytrader]

Capital admin can’t provide space to PTI for sit-in, IHC told
The Federal Capital’s administration informed the IHC that it cannot provide space to PTI for a sit-in in light of the security threats to Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Capital’s administration Saturday informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that it cannot provide space to PTI for a sit-in in light of the security threats to PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

In a miscellaneous plea submitted in the IHC, Advocate General Islamabad Jahangir Khan Jadoon said apart from the security threats, it was also feared that PTI supporters would resort to violence when they reach the capital.

The petition was submitted after the high court directed the PTI leadership to provide a schedule and signed affidavit by November 7 in connection with its long march. The party had moved IHC in a bid to secure a place for its jalsa.

Jadoon, in the plea, informed the court that on Thursday evening, there was an attack on the container of the PTI chairman in which, unfortunately, he was injured along with several others. “Sadly one person got serious injuries and passed away in the incident as well.” The advocate general said the suspect attacked the convoy as his religious sentiments were hurt and thus, there is a likely chance of such “fanatics” entering the rally, which might lead to similar incidents in the capital. Jadoon also reminded the court that such extremist incidents have previously taken place in Islamabad — such as the murder of former Punjab governor Salman Taseer and the assassination of former federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti. In addition, he noted that an incumbent KP minister and party supporters openly announced to come to Islamabad with arms, weapons, and other material for using against law enforcement agencies.

“Fawad Chaudhry also threatened the federal government and security agencies in his provocative statements and incited PTI’s supporters to attack the government and agencies and take revenge by force.

He added that also, at this stage of the long march, keeping in view the security threats reported from the security agencies, there are serious threats of life to the PTI chairman, therefore, “we are not able to allow PTI to jalsa/sit-in in ICT”. After presenting the reasons, the advocate general said the petition of PTI seeking a place for its sit-in should be dismissed.

The News PK

 

[MenInG]

As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march converges on the twin cities, both sides stick to their guns with the government staying firm on its stance of completing the remaining constitutional tenure while PTI is adamant not to budge from its demand of getting a date for fresh election.

Since his ouster in April this year through a vote of no-confidence, PTI chairman Imran Khan has been demanding fresh general election, or at least a date for it. He has even announced to take a step back on army chief’s appointment but not the election date.

However, the government has constantly been saying that the PTI would not even get a perceived victory through the long march, stressing that no face-saving would be given no matter what tactics PTI resorts to.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has even strictly barred Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from giving any kind of face-saving to the former prime minister “no matter what”.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s spokesperson Fahd Hussain said that the government had been very clear that elections would be held on the scheduled time. “If the PTI chairman expects that he will get the government to announce early elections under pressure, he should prepare to be bitterly disappointed,” Hussain added.

Emphasising that there was “zero chance” of Imran getting an election date through the long march, Hussain said that no group would be allowed to “blackmail the government through tactics that stop children from going to school, patients going to hospital and people going to offices and markets”.

“There will be no face-saving to such groups and elections will take place on time,” Hussain said, adding that it was the government’s responsibility to ensure that no group or individual took law into their hands and caused inconvenience to the citizens of Pakistan.

When asked whether the government would cave in and give a date for elections, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb quipped that the PTI chief would definitely get a date for the next general elections and that would be “August 2023”.

Similarly, Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir said that it was “unlikely” that Imran would manage to get elections’ date, saying “chances diminishing every day”.

PTI leadership, however, has several reasons to believe that the party would achieve its objective of early polls or a date for the next general election through its long march. “We expect the nation’s voice will be heard when IK [Imran Khan] comes to Pindi and people from across the country come to join our Haqeeqi Azadi march,” senior PTI leader Dr Shireen Mazari said.

To a question as to how long the PTI was planning to stay in Rawalpindi or in Islamabad to achieve its objective of getting the election date, Dr Mazari, who served as the human rights minister during the previous Imran-led government, replied: “Let us see how it goes”.

Another PTI leader and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry opined that there were several factors that would ensure that the PTI achieved its objective. Chaudhry listed four key factors: peoples’ support; political instability; economic downturn and change in establishment.

Imran Khan had started his party’s much-awaited long march on October 28. On the way, he survived an assassination attempt in Wazirabad on November 3 – the seventh day of his Haqeeqi Azaadi (real freedom) March.

From holding rallies to making history in by-elections and from leading long marches to being declared disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the PTI chief has shown consistency on one thing: he wants fresh polls or a date for the next election.

Simultaneously, the government has been giving him a cold shoulder. Soon, Imran would be arriving in the garrison city and might prolong his stay just like he did it in 2014. What would be the actual outcome of the face-off between the government and the PTI would depend on who blinks first.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

A day after announcing what appeared to be the final showdown with the government, former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that everyone will get a surprise on November 26 — the day when his party’s supporters converge on Rawalpindi to demand early elections.

Addressing the participants of the rally in Rawat on Saturday, some 200 metres away from the federal capital, the PTI chief yesterday announced via video link that he was temporarily ending the march and its next phase would continue from Rawalpindi on the 26th of the current month.

In a meeting with a group of journalists in Lahore today, Imran without divulging details said: “I am aware of their plans, but I am planning ahead.”

The former premier reiterated that he was no more concerned about the appointment of next army chief. “I have no problem with whoever they want to appoint as army chief. Now these people [government] are trapped from both sides,” Express News quoted him as saying.

Imran, who was voted out as prime minister in April this year, said the incumbent rulers would face defeat if early elections were held in the country.

“If these [polls] are not held, there are chances that the country will go bankrupt.”

Also read: Imran gives call for final showdown

Speaking on the occasion, the former prime also revealed that he was sent messages through President Arif Alvi for negotiations to end political deadlock in the country.

“But I have only one demand, give the date of the election. Only then discussions can take place,” he added.

Toshakhana watch

Ex-PM Imran said despite using the entire state machinery, the incumbent rulers could not find anything against him except watch that he bought from Toshakhana (gift depository) and later sold it in the market.

The charges of misuse of the Toshakhana against former prime minister Imran Khan took an unusual turn on Tuesday when a well-known Dubai-based businessman came to the fore and claimed he had bought some of the state gifts, including an expensive Graff wristwatch worth at least Rs2 billion, from Farah Gogi and Shahzad Akbar.

In an interview with a private TV channel, Umar Farooq Zahoor said he bought expensive items, gifted to the PTI chief by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, for $2 million.

“I am going to court on the issue of the watch,” said Imran while referring to the allegations.

Speaking about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s defamation case against Daily Mail, Imran said that the premier is trapped in the London court. “It seems that he will make an out-of-court settlement,” he added.

 

[daytrader]

After appointment of COAS: PTI to show its cards if polls not held, says Fawad

ISLAMABAD: The PTI will disclose its strategy if elections are not held after the appointment of the COAS. This was stated by PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry while talking to a private news channel.

The former minister in PTI’s cabinet, said PTI had held negotiations were with the government on snap elections but the incumbent rulers being afraid of their defeat refused to announce the date of election. “The government should announce polls date so, we can settle the rest of the framework,” he added. The new elections, he said is the way to address the crises confronting the country, he said.

Earlier, speaking to journalists at Lahore, Fawad claimed that Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and former President Asif Ali Zardari had agreed to impose martial law in the country. “If there is any obstacle in the way of martial law, it is PTI. Martial law will not be imposed in the country.

Fawad said that the preparations for the long march are underway, adding that 35 to 40,000 people will reach Rawalpindi on Friday night. Imran Khan will announce the future course of action in Rawalpindi, he said.

Slamming the government on appointment of the army chief, he said defence and the interior ministers are making different statements on the issue. “We want the matter to be resolved without any controversy, and we have no favorite candidate,” he said. The government has turned a key appointment into a controversial issue by holding consultations of the thieves, he charged.

The News PK

 

[daytrader]

LHC summons Asad Umar over 'contemptuous' long march speech
LHC's Rawalpindi registry takes up plea against PTI leader's Nov 26 speech against judiciary during long march

Asad Umar's speech in the 26th November rally will be seen, he scandalized the courts in the rally and used insulting words against the judiciary: Lahore High Court Pindi Bench.

RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court on Monday took up a plea against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Asad Umar's speech during the party's long march gathering on November 26, the day it was finally called off after almost a month.

Justice Jawad Hassan of the LHC's Rawalpindi bench held a hearing on the plea filed by the additional registrar of the court's Rawalpindi registry.

The Rawalpindi deputy commissioner, capital city police officer, and Advocate Faisal Chaudhry — to represent the defence in the case — appeared before the court.

During the hearing, Justice Hassan remarked that Umar "targeted" the courts and judges in his November 26 speech.

"Asad Umar scandalised the courts in his speech during the November 26 rally and used contemptuous words against the judiciary," the court remarked.

It said that Umar's speech will be reviewed first.

"No institution or personality can be made controversial, under Article 14 of the Constitution. The court has the authority to punish under Article 204(B) of the Constitution," Justice Hassan remarked.

He summoned the PTI leader in person to court at the next hearing and sought a video transcript of Umar's speech

Later, the court sought a response from Umar over the plea against his speech and adjourned the hearing till December 7.

PTI's long march
PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan, along with his supporters and party leaders, started the "Azadi March" against the incumbent government on October 28, to force them to conduct early elections in the country.

However, Khan called off his party's long march on November 26 and announced not to move forward to Islamabad. He also announced to dissolve all the assemblies, saying that he did not want to be a part of “this system”.

It was when the former prime minister attended the public gathering for the first time since the attempt on his life on November 3 in Wazirabad, where Khan's convoy stopped during PTI's long march.

Khan survived an assassination bid in a shooting incident that left him injured in both his legs. The much-touted anti-government march on the federal capital was abruptly stopped on November 3 after Khan was wounded.

The former prime minister was rushed to Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Lahore, where he received treatment for bullet wounds and fracture in the legs.

The march was later resumed from the same point but PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi led it, as Khan announced that he would lead join the march from Rawalpindi. Since then, he was addressing the march participants via video link.

Khan, after days of warning to quit all the assemblies to pressure the government on early elections, also expressed willingness to halt the assemblies' dissolution if the ruling coalition agrees to hold polls by the end of March next year, on December 4.

“If they are ready for elections by the end of March, then we won't dissolve the assemblies. Otherwise, we want to conduct polls by dissolving the KP and Punjab assemblies,” Khan said.

He added that his party won’t agree on a date after March and assemblies will be dissolved this month [December] if the government disagrees.

The News PK