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LAHORE: PTI leader and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry has said Jati Umrah and other PLM-N’s leader houses are not far away if the government decided to raid Bani Gala. He also said that ex-prime minister Imran Khan would reveal the way forward for his “Haqeeqi Azadi” movement at the party’s rally in Lahore tonight.
Talking to media persons on Saturday at the rally’s venue, Chaudhry said that the theme of the gathering today was “Haqeeqi Azadi”.
“What is true freedom? It is believing that we won’t bow down in front of anyone except God. This is Imran’s goal and this is the theme of our rally.”
He went on to say that the PTI chairman would reveal the future strategy of the party tonight as the “party has entered the final stages of our movement”.
The PTI leader said that the PTI had written a letter to the Punjab government seeking an investigation into the events of the party’s long march to Islamabad within 15 days.
The march on May 25 was preceded by the authorities invoking Section 144, a measure used to curb gatherings. Shipping containers were put in place on major thoroughfares to block their path.
Undeterred by the moves, the marchers, who tried to force through the containers to make their way to Islamabad, were met with tear gas as police tried to disperse them. Police also charged at them with batons.
Talking to reporters, Chaudhry said that the Punjab government had begun investigations and was probing PML-N leader Atta Tarar and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah as well.
“Unlike them [the federal government], we haven’t displayed fascism, neither have we picked up people. We are just investigating people and that is our right.”
He said that if Tarar and Sanaullah would hide in Islamabad, “we will have no option but to declare them wanted”, adding that the leaders should not be scared and clarify their position on the matter.
Chaudhry also criticized former Punjab chief minister Hamza Shehbaz for “running to London”. “These are the people who have money laundering cases registered against them, yet they are given relief.
“While the wife of Shahbaz Gill’s driver is suffering. The women of Izhar’s families have been dragged by the police,” he said, highlighting that the moral imbalance in the society was deeply concerning.
The PTI leader also expressed confidence that by Monday, Gill — who was arrested for passing controversial statements against the armed forces — would be granted bail.
The PTI leader noted that his party was ready to speak with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government if they announce the date for general elections.
“If Shehbaz Sharif announces the date for elections, then we can talk to them about the framework. [I know] that the government will demand to dissolve the assemblies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.”