PTI Chairman Imran Khan is leading the long march toward Islamabad with party leader Asad Umar sharing that Khan will now reach Rawalpindi by November 10 and caravans from all over Pakistan will reach Islamabad on November 11.
Earlier, the plan was to reach the federal capital by November 4.
The party and the government, meanwhile, are still at loggerheads.
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.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said Wednesday PTI Chairman Imran Khan will be kept in Balochistan’s Machh Jail after arresting him.
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Taking a jibe at Rana Sanaullah, PTI leader Shireen Mazari said that as against the interior minister's version, the PTI witnessed a "phenomenon turnout" of people at Ghakkar Mandi.
"Rana Sana should really open his eyes & perhaps learn how to count too!"
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Wednesday revealed that he would send PTI Chairman Imran Khan to Balochistan after arresting him.
“I will keep him [Khan] in the Mirchi Ward at Machj Jail as several politicians have lived there previously,” he said during Geo News programme Capital Talk.
The interior minister also revealed that BNP chief Akhtar Mengal has taken promise that if Khan is arrested he would be kept in Macch Jail.
Sanauallah vowed that if he laid his hands on Khan he won’t spare him.
The Islamabad Police rejected rumours peddled by "some political leaders" against it.
"ICT Police and other civil armed forces are the guarantors of peace in the federal Capital. Such propaganda campaigns and rumors will strengthen the determination and morale of the officials."
PTI Chairman Imran Khan Wednesday claimed to have "won Pakistan’s match" as he said the coalition government is "sweating out of fear because its kanpein tang rahi hain (legs are shaking) as the march is heading towards Islamabad.
He further said that the PTI acquired freedom while ensuring the supremacy of law, as prosperity comes with justice.
Khan maintained that people shouldn’t think that PTI’s movement will end after reaching Islamabad, “our movement will continue for the next 10 months until the date for elections will be announced.”
“We will never accept these thieves,” he reiterated, adding that it is better to die than to become slaves of these “thieves”.
Addressing the participants on the start of the sixth day, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that there is no progress in a society till there is justice.
“Non-provision of justice is our biggest problem,” said the PTI chief. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was set to be sentenced in the Rs16 billion corruption case.
“Fifty years ago, Pakistan was developing rapidly. Our country cannot develop unless there is justice,” said the PTI chief.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that the accountability watchdog was never under his control when PTI was in power.
“Those who were controlling NAB saved them,” said Khan. He added that ever since the “thieves” have been “imposed” on the country electricity prices have been skyrocketing.
“The cases against him have started to end, NRO is being provided. Zardari's cases have also started finishing,” said the PTI chief.
“Yesterday they used to say they are thieves, today they say NRO has been given, they are clean,” said Khan. He claimed that the incumbent government has made corruption laws that will only convict “petty thieves”.
Former prime minister Imran Khan is addressing his supporters during the sixth day of his party's long-drawn-out anti-government protest march in Gujranwala.
Federal Minister for Energy Khurram Dastgir says PTI's long march has turned into a "fasadi (evil) march". He said the election date will arrive considering the pace at which the march is moving towards Islamabad.
"They can come if they can keep the peace but they are not coming to maintain the peace because the chief of the fasadis always has a threat to make," Dastgir said.
He also said that he has no links with putting up anti-Imran Khan banners. However, he would say what the banners stated.
"Ghari chor, Toshakhana chor (wristwatch thief, Toshakhana thief)," Dastgir said while challenging Khan to do whatever he can.
Senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry says the party plans to keep changing the date on which they will reach Islamabad to tire the government out.
"We will give a date to reach Islamabad and then change it. We will tire you out," Fawad said during a press conference. The politician said that this movement is a "movement of accountability" and "movement to fix the country's system."
He said that Khurram Dastagir should be arrested for putting up banners against Imran Khan. He also demanded that the NA speaker should accept the PTI MNAs' resignations and hold elections.
"Maryam Nawaz is no more restricted from taking part in the elections. She should contest to find out her popularity," Fawad said.
Federal Minister Javed Latif said that the Centre would give a “surprise” to the former prime minister when he reaches Islamabad, as the PML-N led government was aware of the planning done by PTI chief Imran Khan.
“We are aware from where you are getting funding. We will catch you with a big theft,” said Latif while talking to reporters. He added that mobs will not be allowed a “face saving”.
“If we speak to the mob today then ways will be open for the future as well. Blackmailing will not force the state to hold talks,” said Latif. He added talks are held under the ambit of the Constitution with the national leadership an dparite not with mobs.
“There are not talks happening through backchannel with Imran Khan nor will there be one,” said the minister.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan shared scenes from the long march showing "massive and charged crowds" in Gujranwala.
He said that the crowd turned out seeking justice which is a "critical part of our Haqeeqi Azadi struggle".
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal gave the date of the next elections after PTI leader Pervez Khattak reiterated that the party is march towards Islamabad for a date of fresh elections.
"13 October, 2023," tweeted Iqbal in response to Khattak.
The Islamabad High Court issued notices to the federal capital's administration for not issuing PTI a no-objection certificate for its sit-in.
The court directed the relevant officials of the Islamabad administration to appear before it tomorrow.
The hearing of the plea was held by Justice Aamer Farooq on PTI's petition against the non-issuance of the NOC.
Punjab Government Spokesperson Musarrat Cheema shared that PTI's long march to Islamabad will resume from "Pindi bypass Gujranwala" at 11:30am.
The PTI chief is expected to address the crowd at Rahwali and Gaghar where the march will stop today.
"Due to the public excitement the march's speed is slow but we will try to reach Jehlum by Sunday," said Cheema.
PTI leader Asad Umar shared that Imran Khan's "Haqiqi Azadi" march to reach Rawalpindi by November 10 as per new schedule.
The former planning minister said that PTI's march will arrive in Islamabad on November 11.
JUI-F chief and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) President Maulana Fazlur Rahman said the so-called long march of PTI had flopped and its leaders were now bent upon creating law and order situation in the federal capital.
He said Imran Khan wanted that the new Chief of the Army Staff should be appointed of his own choice otherwise martial law should be imposed.
Speaking at a press conference here, he said the PTI leaders were trying to promote violence and create anarchy.
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The row between PTI and the ruling coalition heated up with Imran challenging Nawaz and PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz hitting at the long march.
Maryam “exposed” the “actual agenda” of PTI’s long march and said that it has not been arranged for the sake of the nation but its purpose is to stop the incumbent government from appointing the next army chief.
“Imran should know that the appointment of the army chief is rightfully, constitutionally, and legally the right of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. And God willing, the process will be carried out amicably in a good environment.”
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MQM-P leaders denounced Imran Khan for confrontational approach and said he was attempting to destabilise the country, politically and economically.
Party's deputy convener Wasim Akhtar said during a presser that the country’s economic condition was weak at the time of MQM-P’s agreement with the present ruling alliance, but some elements rose up to create political instability in the country when things improved.
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