RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Monday announced the cancellation of a scheduled rally in Mianwali and revealed plans to hold a public gathering in Rawalpindi on September 28.
Speaking to journalists in Adiala Jail – where he is currently being held – Mr Khan declared that if the authorities prevent the rally from taking place, PTI will pursue legal action and take to the streets in protest.
Khan, while addressing the media, dismissed a recent article published in an Israeli newspaper as “propaganda,” although he acknowledged that it had praised his standing.
“The article claimed I am the only Pakistani leader who enjoys credibility in both Muslim and Western countries,” he noted. However, Khan reaffirmed his firm stance on Israel, accusing it of committing “genocide” against Palestinians. He reiterated that no dialogue with Israel could take place without a ceasefire and a move towards a two-state solution.
“My position regarding Israel remains unchanged,” the PTI chairman insisted, stressing his continued opposition to any normalization of ties. “How can I support relations with a state that is responsible for the genocide of Palestinians?” he questioned.
Turning his attention to domestic politics, Khan criticized former Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s recent statement calling for unity and cooperation for the country’s progress.
“Peace cannot be achieved without justice,” Khan asserted, indirectly responding to Sharif’s remarks.
PTI founder questions intentions behind proposed amendments
Khan also questioned the integrity of the country’s electoral process, alleging that the general elections were “robbed” and that his party’s workers were unjustly imprisoned following the events of May 9.
“No investigation has been conducted,” he claimed, further accusing the government of shielding those responsible to prevent election rigging from being exposed.
“The amendments they are planning will not bring peace. The Chief Justice, the Chief Election Commissioner, and others are merely umpires serving the interests of those in power,” Khan said, accusing the government of manipulating the judicial and electoral systems to serve their ends.
He alleged that the “third umpire,” a veiled reference to the establishment, was orchestrating events behind the scenes to protect its interests.
The PTI chief further likened the current political situation to that of the late General Yahya Khan’s regime, warning that the present government was “destroying society and democracy” in an attempt to conceal election fraud.
Imran Khan laments country’s mounting debt
Addressing economic concerns, Khan lamented the country’s mounting debt and lack of foreign investment, attributing these problems to the government’s failure to increase national income. “People are leaving the country because no one is willing to invest,” he said.
The PTI founder also took a jiba at the slated government’s handling of his previous rallies, claiming that PTI’s supporters were hindered by last-minute permissions and the installation of containers to block roads.
“Our people come on foot to the rallies, we don’t offer free food like some others,” he remarked.
The PTI chairman ended by warning of a “street movement” if the government proceeded with its controversial amendments, accusing it of attempting to undermine the judiciary and impose what he termed “undeclared martial law.”
“They are introducing amendments that even dictators didn’t dare to make,” he said, vowing to resist these changes through a public campaign.
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