PTI Chairman Imran Khan is leading the long march toward Islamabad with the party and the government still at loggerheads.
The PTI chair had announced that the caravan would reach Islamabad within eight to nine days — as opposed to the earlier schedule, when it was expected to arrive in the capital on November 4.
This is the PTI chair's second march towards Islamabad after he was ousted via a no-confidence motion earlier this year.
The political instability in Pakistan has also fuelled economic uncertainty, with international rating agencies questioning if the current government can maintain difficult economic policies in the face of political pressure and looming elections.
PTI Vice-President Shah Mehmood Qureshi said he was fine as it was a minor injury.
Qureshi was injured while on the top part of the container, however, he assured the people that he was fine.
He also shared that PTI Chairman Imran Khan also asked about his well-being after finishing his speech.
The caravan from Balochistan will depart from Quetta on Saturday (November 6) for the long march, PTI spokesperson said, adding that schedule was changed during that party meeting.
The party spokesperson revealed that the schedule was changed after the main caravan from Lahore got delayed.
JUI-F's Senator Kamran Murtaza Tuesday filed a constitutional petition in the Supreme Court against the PTI's long march, as it continues to move toward its final destination in Islamabad.
In his address to the participants as the long march reached Sialkoti Darwaza in Gujranwala, PTI Chairman Imran Khan explained the difference between theft and corruption.
"Whoever steals a watch and phone and robs a house is a thief. Stealing a country's money is corruption.
Khan said stealing the nation's money destroys the country and leads to poverty. He added that "big thieves" steal the country's money and get NRO. "Small thieves are put in jail."
Reacting to Rana Sanaullah’s recent rhetoric against him, PTI Chairman Imran Khan warned the interior minister of "grave consequences."
Addressing the participants of the long march in Gujranwala, Khan warned, “Rana Sanaullah! Your time has come as well.”
Urging the masses to join the PTI’s long march, Khan said, “Allah orders Jihad against thieves.”
The thieves were imposed on us under a foreign conspiracy, the PTI leader reiterated, adding that if they accepted them just like sheep, then there is no future for them.
Referring to the statements of the ruling alliance, Khan said, “Rats are threatening us while sitting there (in Islamabad).
Khan maintained that he would give a call to all Pakistanis when he reaches Islamabad.
PTI chair Imran Khan addressed the long march participants after stationing in Gujranwala. He challenged PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif of defeating latter in his constituency.
“Nawaz Sharif, whenever you come back and contest elections, I challenge you, I will go to your constituency and defeat you,” said Imran. He also alleged that the former prime minister and PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari were trying to make the establishment stand against PTI.
The PTI chief claimed that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif would return to Pakistan in a similar manner like Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. He told the crowd that he like the PML-N supremo who would ”run away from Pakistan”.
PTI Chairman has arrived in Gujranwala, reports Geo News.
Meanhwile, PTI stalwart Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the government was trying to make the long march look negative. “PTI workers and citizens are not going to shed blood and are advancing peacefully,” Qureshi said. They were campaigning with all their might that PTI was an adversary to the army, Qureshi said adding those who were now playing the sentinels [of the institutions] had been badmouthing about the establishment [in the past].
“Word has it that a new press conference is coming up. Imran Khan has said that these press talks are not going to harm him or the party, but the ones who will address it,” Qureshi said.
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhary Tuesday laughed off Nawaz Sharif’s statement that long marchers were no more than 2,000 and that the PTI’s demands should be given a deaf ear.
“If we are so small in number then what is there for them to be scared of, anyway?” Fawad said addressing a press conference with his party peer Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
“If we are just 2,000 then let us come to Islamabad. Why are they shaking in their shoes?”
Mocking at an exiled elder Sharif, Fawad said his younger brother (Shehbaz) was in power and the three-time former prime minister was not coming home. “When Prime Minister Shehbaz’s own family doesn’t trust him then how will investors do. “You will have to bow down to the people of Pakistan,” Fawad said.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan has left for Gujranwala, reported Geo News.
Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that the general elections will be held on time in accordance with the constitution.
In a televised message on Tuesday, she regretted the statement of PTI Chairman Imran Khan regarding imposition of martial law saying democracy will flourish in the country and it will continue to serve the masses.
She said the PTI chairman does not want elections, democracy and peace and development but anarchy, chaos and bloodshed. She said frustration is apparent from the statements of Imran Khan.
Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser claimed that the PTI will be leading a convoy of 150,000 people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The former NA speaker shared the numbers in a video message he posted on Twitter.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has severely criticised PTI Chairman Imran Khan for openly asking institutions to interfere in politics by ousting a democratically elected government.
In a news statement, she said Khan should explain whom he is threatening while delivering speeches on a container during his long march toward Islamabad.
She said the march has received a lukewarm response from the public and Khan should realise that some 2,000 people do not represent the entire nation of 220 million.
PTI leader Asad Umar slammed Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah for calling the people joining the party’s long march a “mob”.
“Those calling Pakistani people mob should have shame. The people are not with you,” said Umar in a press conference. He also challenged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to stand among the people.
“There is a paper democracy in Pakistan. In a democratic system the politicians have to make decisions,” said the former finance minister. He added that former prime minister Imran Khan is unwilling to listen to anyone.
PTI leader Musarrat Cheema announced that the long march will resume from Chan da Qila, Gujranwala at noon on the fifth day. Cheema said that the "Haqiqi Azadi" march's station for the day will be Super Asia Chowk.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Higher Education and PTI leader Kamran Bangash said the long march would turn into a sit-in after reaching the federal capital, and participants from KP would go to the march with their licensed weapons.
According to electronic media reports, he said “we will carry weapons for our protection in case of an attack by the government”.
Read more here.
Federal Minister and PML-N central leader Mian Javed Latif Monday said PTI chief Imran Khan was now negotiating with those whom he had branded Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq.
Latif said the nation will not accept any such backdoor negotiations.
“You know your chapter is over and now you will face your cases,” he said, adding that Imran will not be allowed to leave Pakistan until the cases against him were over.
Read more here.
The government has put in place modernised system involving cameras and smart cars to ensure security of Islamabad.
According to the details, the Safe City Project has been fully modernised keeping in view the emerging challenges to the security of the federal capital. The details provided by the relevant departments showed that 480 latest new cameras have been installed at different locations to keep vigil over the situation round-the-clock in the city.
Read more here.
PTI Chairman has said that his convoy is moving at a speed of 12 kilometres per hour and he hopes to cross Gujranwala today.
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