The ground resonated with Imran Khan’s name as people welcomed him to the rally.
Imran Khan’s party slogan for the rally was “throw this government out and save the country”.
The venue was bedecked with banners and hoardings showing portraits of the founder of the nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the former cricketer.
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Updates
17:00 – Thousands reported currently at the rally, including men, women and children, where Imran Khan will be speaking shortly.
17:10 – Addresses by all provincial presidents of PTI, Head of Women Wing and ISF President.
17:41 – Imran Khan offers maghrib prayers on stage.
17:44 – Shahzad Roy on stage now, singing “Too Daikhta. par soochta naheen” (You watch, but don’t think)
17:49 – Shahzad Roy now singing “Laga Reh”.
17:55 – First statement from Imran Khan “I request people to get back from the speaker and sound system.”
18:05 – Shah Zaman takes the stage singing “kee karandaiy o” (What are you up to)
18:18 – Strings now on stage singing “Main tau Daikhoon Ga” (I will be seeing)
18:23 – Recitation of National Anthem.
18:25 – Imran Khan takes to the stage and begins his address.
“Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal began their journey from this place in Lahore! I promise that no one can stop this flood of crowd. The youth of Pakistan will bowl out the rulers like Nawaz and Zardari.”
I have a complaint against the Lahoris, they are very slow to wake up
“Today Lahore has woken up!”
Those in Raiwind and Islamabad should know that it is not a flood that is coming, but a tsunami
“Nawaz can’t fight Dengue, how will he fight crocodiles like Zardari”
“Mian Sahib Jan Dio, Sadee Waree Aan Dio” (Mr Nawaz Sharif, you should let go off the government and let us come)
There is a huge difference between Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s PPP and Zardari’s PPP. Zardari is dishonouring PPP. Bhutto was a nationalist where as Zardari is among people who polish America’s shoes
“Corruption is the biggest problem of Pakistan. 3000 billion rupees are in lost in tax theft and corruption.”
Crowd roared in support as Imran Khan spoke.
“PTI will run WAPDA plants at their full level and end load shedding”
“Justice is being sold in courts. We will rid Pakistan of patwaree culture.”
“Cable channels have been blocked. Nawaz cannot stop PTI with such actions. Nawaz has a habit of cheating. Nawaz always plays with biased umpires.”
“We will end Army action on the people of Balochistan. PTI will not allow the military to attack its own people, we believe in talks with the tribal people”
I am going on a tour to China tonight on the invitation of the government of China. We will strengthen our ties with China
PTI will make a law that only those who will declare their assets can participate in elections. If all politicians do not declare their assets in next few months, we will run a civil disobedience movement.
19:17 – Imran Khan ends his address followed by the National Anthem.
Quotes:
Fauzia Kasoori: “Imran khan is the sign of the change.”
Shehzad Roy: “I have performed in huge crowds but I have not seen such a gathering”
On Stage:
– Mian Azhar
– Fauzia Kasoori
– Ahsan Rasheed
– Hamid Khan
– Zaheer Abbas
– Dr. Shireen Mazari
Crowd Counter
Pakistan Today correspondent, reports more than 150,000 people on location.