ISLAMABAD: The top leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) has reacted strongly over verdict, given by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in Toshakhana reference, and has urged upon the followers and supporters to stage countrywide protest.
Speaking to media after the ECP verdict, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said who was the ECP to disqualify Imran Khan, and that people didn’t accept minus-Imran Khan verdict. He said technically speaking, Imran Khan was de-seated only for his affidavit, and not disqualified as being propagated everywhere.
Fawad Chaudhry termed the ECP’s ruling a “slap on the face of 220 million people” and said, “today is the beginning of the revolution”. “Just anyone cannot disqualify Imran Khan. Only the public can do that,” he said, alleging that today’s verdict was “written by Nawaz Sharif and signed by his servants.
Soon after the ECP verdict, PTI protesters started protesting outside the Election Commission building and chanted slogans denouncing the Chief Election Commissioner. Police and security forces tried to disperse the crowd and resorted to baton-charge, after which at least one PTI worker was arrested.
الیکشن کمیشن کے باہر ہنگامہ آرائی کے مناظر۔ pic.twitter.com/8ouX5M0jVg
— Khurram Iqbal (@khurram143) October 21, 2022
In Lahore, people rushed to stage protest in front of Jail Road Office, and blocked the traffic, denouncing the ECP for, what they called, biased verdict.
عمران خان کے خلاف فیصلہ
تحریک انصاف کاجیل روڈ افس کے سامنے احتجاج،،،تحریک انصاف کے فیصلہ نامنظور کے نعرے،،،جیل روڈ کو ٹریفک کے لئے بند کر دیا pic.twitter.com/iSjo0odpFQ
— Shakir Mehmood Awan (@ShakirAwan88) October 21, 2022
PTI leader Hammad Azhar rushed to twitter and announced spots in Lahore where protest demonstrations would take place against the ECP verdict.
لاہور۔ احتجاج کیا جائے گا۔ ابھی کے ابھی
بند روڈ بابوصابو چوک
ہربنز پورہ رنگ روڈ
ٹھوکر نیاز بیگ
شاہدرہ چوک
شنگھائی چوک، فیروز پور روڈ
بھٹہ چوک کینٹ— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) October 21, 2022
PTI leader from Sindh Ali Zaidi said the ECP had crossed ‘red line’ by disqualifying Imran Khan.
اب تم نے ریڈ لائن کراس کر لی ہے۔۔ صدر @PTISindhOffice سابق وفاقی وزیر @AliHZaidiPTI کا الیکشن کمیشن کے فیصلے پر ردعمل #عمران_خان_ہماری_ریڈ_لائن pic.twitter.com/IXfBVDfgIG
— Ali Zaidi News (@AliZaidiNews) October 21, 2022
PTI leader Farrukh Habib called on workers to throng to Zila Council Chowk to register protest against the ECP verdict.
الیکشن کمیشن کے فیصلہ کیخلاف تمام فیصل آباد ضلع کونسل چوک پہنچے۔ بھرپور احتجاج ریکارڈ کروایا جائے گا۔ @FarrukhHabibISF pic.twitter.com/oRKguI9P9a
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 21, 2022
In Rawalpindi, PTI workers rushed to block Faizabad Interchange which connects the city with Islamabad.
تحریک انصاف کے کارکن فیض آباد پہنچنا شروع، سڑک بند pic.twitter.com/yQeWqSROWm
— Khurram Iqbal (@khurram143) October 21, 2022
The PTI workers and supporters also staged protest and Faizabad Interchange, burnt tyres and blocked the roads. Same reports were received from Islamabad where Expressway was closed for traffic.
اسلام آباد ایکسپریس وے پر بھی تحریک انصاف کے کارکنوں کا احتجاج، ٹائر جلا کر سڑک بند کردی۔ pic.twitter.com/XxHPRcaXjZ
— Khurram Iqbal (@khurram143) October 21, 2022
In Karachi, the Traffic Police took to Twitter to report closure of roads, without mentioning the cause. MM News, however, has learnt that PTI workers have started staging protests at different places across the Metropolis including Qayyumabad Chowrangi, 5 Star Chowrangi and Shahra-e-Faisal.
الرٹ: سڑک بند ہے
بوقت: 15 بجکر 10 منٹ:
مقام: قیوم آباد ہینو چورنگی
بوجہ: احتجاج
متبادل راستہ: ٹریفک کو اختر کالونی سے کے پی ٹی پل اورجام صادق پل کی طرف بھیج رہے ہیں اور کورنگی سے آنے والی ٹریفک کو اختر کالونی کی طرف بھیج رہے ہیں
— Karachi Traffic Police (@Khitrafficpol) October 21, 2022
