Istafa Ali
The Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, blasted the PDM administration for seeking a fair playing field but not restricting his hands. He denied being a terrorist.
“A fair playing field doesn’t limit Imran Khan. I’ve faced 100 instances, including 40 terrorist charges. In over 150 cases, “Khan told a crowd hours before Ramadan’s fourth sehri.
He praised his party’s supporters for attending Minar-e-Pakistan despite all odds. He said, “People in authority must realise that [stopping the roads and walkways with shipping] containers cannot stop people who seek genuine freedom.” Fear was propagated to delay the public gathering.
Imran stated a conspiracy overthrew his administration and sent criminals to our nation.
He argued that only justice can bring true freedom, citing examples of people in other countries resisting oppression. He said sovereignty and rule of law would give Pakistan actual independence.
Khan criticised the administration and democrats for failing to provide the nation the freedom it deserves under the rule of law.
“We were denied legal freedom. Unfortunately, even our Democrats didn’t let the law rule the nation “he lamented.
The PTI held the jalsa at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan despite the interim Punjab government’s “threat notice” that terrorists would attack political events in the provincial capital.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who was dismissed as prime minister in April 2018 and is entangled in hundreds of lawsuits, addressed the gathering from a bulletproof container at the jalsa field.
The caretaker administration warned that terrorists with explosive material had arrived Lahore and may attack political gatherings or security forces.
The government has put containers on the road to Minar-e-Pakistan, making it difficult for people to attend the jalsa.
In his statement, interim Punjab Information Minister Amir Mir stressed that barricades were not preventing people from attending the march, but law enforcement was protecting civilians.
The minister noted that PTI has permission to organise the demonstration and that workers of any political party may attend.
Containers are in Shah Alam Market and Ravi Bridge and Railway Station are blocked to Minar Pakistan.
Sagian Bridge and Engineering University Road are also blocked. Containers block Shahdara, Ravi Toll Plaza, Bati Chowk, Niazi Chowk, Delhi Gate, and Dumuria Bridge access to Minar-e-Pakistan.
Geo News stated that the police detained around 50 PTI members in Rahim Yar Khan and 26 in Multan, including Javed Akhtar Ansari’s son.
The PTI said numerous Lodhran and Bhakkar workers were arrested.
Internet suspension
Zaman Park, Minar-e-Pakistan, Garhi Shahu, Davis Road, and Lakshmi Chowk all suffer internet outages.
Internet was suspended near the PTI public meeting.
But, Lahore police warned “security measures” should not be seen as “stopping” highways. The police said security risks had been addressed.
The police officer denied the PTI’s claims, saying citizens are freely accessing the Minar-e-Pakistan.
Officials noted that PTI Jalsa attendees are being screened to prevent incidents.
Defy roadblocks
PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on workers to walk to the demonstration if the roads were blocked, saying the municipal administration had crowded the city with barriers to undermine the party’s planned public assembly, indicating government fear.
“How are they democratic? PML-N workers arrested?” Qureshi told reporters hours before the PTI’s Minar-e-Pakistan rally.
The district administration had warned carriers that PTI-flagged vehicles would not be permitted into Lahore.
“Despite all the barriers, people will come,” the PTI chairman added, warning employees against lawlessness.
Qureshi explained why highways were closed for security when the PTI was permitted to demonstrate at Minar-e-Pakistan.
“What is occurring in Lahore is in front of everyone to witness,” stated the PTI senior stalwart.
“District government seems powerless and paralysed.
Why did they barricade the city with shipping containers after allowing us political freedom?”
He stated the court allowed it and containers were unnecessary.
Qureshi implored the police and government to remove the containers.
He claimed hurdles showed PTI’s power show was a success before it started.
“Today’s Imran Khan message matters. If your automobile isn’t allowed, walk “Qureshi complained about worker arrests.
After the demonstration announcement, police have detained 1,500 to 1,800 PTI personnel.
“Police are entering employees’ residences at Iftar and after taraweeh to arrest them and removing their sons if they can’t find the dads.”
Qureshi disliked the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s “democratic” label (PDM). “PDM members are not considered democrats and are not ready to embrace it.”
“Why are containers not used to block cities where Maryam Nawaz addresses rallies?” Qureshi said. He said Lahore has always been political.
He stated the administration had cancelled rally-goers’ motor licences. “We’re lawful. We only conduct public meetings with court approval “Qureshi remarked.
He also advised political workers not to bring clubs or stones to the gathering but to bring enthusiasm.
“Passion is the greatest weapon,” Qureshi remarked.
The PTI leader stated they will sue over the April-October election delay.
“Given the sensitivity of the issue, the Chief Justice of Pakistan is urged to consider the causal list petition.”
“No weapons. No sticks. We’ll wait out government mischief “remarked. “If the chief justice accepts our appeal, Shehbaz Sharif might be disqualified as prime minister like Yousuf Raza Gilani.”
Qureshi said that Gilani was disqualified for defying the court order.
“Shehbaz is doing it now.”
“Break records”
Geo News said that the police raided PTI employees today and blocked certain highways to the site.
On Twitter, the PTI chief urged Lahore supporters to join the “break all records” jalsa after Taraweeh prayers.
The former prime minister, who was ousted in April by a vote of no-confidence, claimed he would explain “Haqeeqi Azadi” and how to fix the “cabal of thieves” issue.
Khan stressed that the people’s right to a jalsa would be thwarted by the government.
“Everyone must exercise their right as citizens of a free country that achieved its freedom & come to Minar I Pakistan,” he said.
An official #BoycottFruits Campaign to be Launched
Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan will host today’s public gathering after Taraweeh at 9pm.
The district administration has authorised the PTI to stage a gathering at the Minar-e-Pakistan tonight, but containers have been put on several roads, including Lahore’s entry and departure routes.
