PTI MPs set up symbolic hunger strike camp outside Parliament House

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday set up a symbolic hunger strike camp outside the Parliament House and announced to continue the protest till the release of party founder Imran Khan and redressal of their concerns.

The PTI leaders first met the National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in his chamber and apprised him of their concerns and later began the hunger strike. The party Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Secretary General Omar Ayub, who is also the leader of opposition in the NA, Asad Qaiser, Leader of Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz, Ali Muhammad Khan and other MPs were present on the occasion.

Lawmakers Dawar Kundi, Falak Naz Chitrali, Sheikh Waqas, Humayun Mohmand, Saifullah Abro, Latif Khosa, Shabbir Ali Qureshi, Sahibzada Sibghatullah, Dr. Amjad, Mehboob Shah and Sajid Mohmand were also present in the hunger strike camp.

Talking to the media, Gohar said that they had concerns which were brought to the speaker’s notice as their rights were being violated and unconstitutional and illegal things were happening.

He claimed they had concerns that many aliens are sitting in this House (NA). “Our symbolic protest (hunger strike) will continue till 8 pm daily, the aim of our protest is to end injustice and abuse and to get the founder PTI freed,” he explained.

In chat with reporters, after the hunger strike for the day was over, Omar Ayub said, “We have set up this camp today in extreme heat and humidity after Imran Khan said in the meeting that he would go on a hunger strike. We told him that we will go on hunger strike, not you.”

He claimed that when Imran Khan orders, the whole country will go on hunger strike. He regretted that PTI information secretary and other leaders were picked up.

Senator Shibli Faraz explained that today’s hunger strike was a part of their strategy and said they always fought for the Constitution while living within the ambit of law while Imran Khan and his wife were detained on the basis of political cases. “People’s lives have been ruined. The country cannot develop in this fascism. A massive protest will be held after Friday prayers. But we will protest within the framework of law and Constitution,” he maintained.

Former NA speaker Asad Qaiser charged that ‘we condemn Maryam Nawaz who threatened the judiciary and contempt of court action be taken against her’. He pointed out that the Supreme Court said that PTI was a political party and questioned under which law their party office was sealed and staff arrested.

“They are trying to spread anarchy in the country. The electricity and gas bills are beyond the affordability of everyone. If they think that we will be afraid of their bad behaviour, then this is their misunderstanding, the first demand is that they should resign and re-election should be held,” he said.