PAT, PML-Q not to attend PTI’s Raiwind march

LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) has decided not to join PTI’s Raiwind protest march on Sept. 30, it was reported Tuesday. “We were not consulted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf about their plan to protest in Raiwind,” senior PAT leader Khurram Nawaz Gandapuri told newsmen.

Gandapuri said that his party would not join the march. “Since we were not consulted by PTI about their plan to protest in Raiwind, we are not joining the march” the PAT leader.

The PAT’s decision came a day after PTI leader Imran Khan commented that he had no differences with the PAT and its leadership.  The PAT’s decisioncame just three days before the scheduled protest in Raiwind near residence of Sharif family. The march is aimed at pressing the government for Panama Papers investigation against the Sharif Family.

However, sources say, mediators like Sheikh Rashid are still hopeful and making efforts for reconciliation between PAT and PTI, considered two political cousins. Sources say the PAT is unlikely to reverse its decision. 

PAT chief, Dr Tahirul Qadri had also announced that his party will not take part in the Raiwind march stating that this was an internal decision. 

PTI Chairman Imran Khan claimed that his party had no dispute with PAT. “All political parties including PAT have been invited to join our September 30 protest in Raiwind.

This protest is not for PTI but for the sake of Pakistan,” Khan told reporters in Lahore where he was supervising arrangement for the march.

In another related development the Muslim League-Quaid on Tuesday also decided not to take part in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Raiwind march. The decision was taken during the PML-Q’s central leadership meeting.

Earlier on Sept 22, Imran Khan had met PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat and extended an invitation to his party’s Raiwind march on September 30.

Opposition parties, despite being eager for investigation over Panama leaks, seem to be visibly reluctant to join PTI’s Raiwind march that intends to protest at the ruling party’s stronghold.  Earlier, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had also hinted at not participating in the Raiwind march. 

Imran Khan had announced the date of Raiwind protests march to be Sept 30, asking party workers to make preparations from September 25.