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Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Friday announced that rallies would be held in four cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar on Saturday to express solidarity with Chief Justice of Pakistan.
Addressing the PTI workers through video link, he emphasised the importance of fighting for the rights of the nation and standing with the Supreme Court. He further stated that the Chief Justice’s commitment to the Constitution has earned the support of the people.
He urged the public to take to the street in solidarity with the Chief Justice, addting that it was a decisive time for everyone to stand by the Supreme Court. Khan said that he himself will lead the rally in Lahore.
Imran Khan stated that elections should be held within 90 days of the assembly’s dissolution. He pointed out that no judge or lawyer has suggested that elections be held beyond this time frame.
The PTI chairman Khan also criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for appointing individuals affiliated with Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chairman and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Moulana Fazlur Rehman and Shehbaz Sharif in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.
He also accused the caretaker government of failing to fulfill their duty to conduct elections and praised the Supreme Court for intervening in the matter.
The deposed former PM went on to say that former army chief General (retd) Bajwa was advised against overthrowing the government, adding that the incumbent rulers won’t be able to run the government. He said the Chief Justice urged us to engage in dialogue, and we initiated discussions.
“We have asked the Supreme Court to hold elections in Punjab if the assemblies are not dissolved before May 14,” he said and added we have requested that the assemblies be dissolved before May 14 and his party is ready for simultaneous elections.
Khan continued to lash out at political opponents and accused the incumbent government of resorting to unconstitutional tactics. He further said, “These people used to taunt me by asking to dissolve the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies for the sake of elections.”
“Our fundamental rights have been violated. We will sacrifice everything for the sake of the country. We are not going to run away from the country. We have been fighting the mafia. Excuses are being made under the umbrella of agreement with the (IMF),” Khan maintained.
Referring to the rate of inflation during his tenure, He said, “During our tenure, the inflation rate was 12.5 percent, which has now risen to 36.5 percent.
He lamented, “I have repeatedly said that the current rulers are incompetent in controlling the situation in the country. The country witnessed a decline in exports within a year. At the time of the end of our government, the country was witnessing a record increase in foreign exchange reserves”.
He recalled that as per the Supreme Court’s decision, the Punjab Assembly elections should be held on May 14. He went on to say that the government was not ready to accept the Supreme Court’s decision in this regard.
