Amidst an exhilarated crowd of tens of thousands, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday kick-started his much-awaited ‘Tsunami Plus’ rally with six promises to his party loyalists.
Spirits were high at the PTI gathering where throngs of supporters, including men, women and children, assembled to witness the second coming of their leader at Pakistan’s historic Minar-e-Pakistan. Security had been tightened in anticipation of one of Lahore’s most anticipated political gathering, with at least 2,000 police personnel, including the bomb squad, deployed at various checkpoints.
Speaking to a jubilant crowd that had begun gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan from the wee hours of Saturday morning, Khan vowed to be honest with his countrymen if elected to power.
Talking to an impressive number of impassioned supporters who stretched beyond the line of vision at Pakistan’s most symbolic monument, Khan said that he would never mislead his supporters and promised that he would never indulge in corruption.
“When I was a child, my father would talk to me about rallies he used to attend,” Imran Khan reminisced. “My fellow countrymen, I can promise you that today’s meeting will go down in history books and generations will speak of this rally in years to come.”
Promising to fight oppression, Khan reiterated his commitment to the country, adding that he would not leave Pakistan in times of crises and his wealth would remain at the disposal of the people.
Furthermore, Imran said that he would not waste the taxpayers’ money by spending it on lavish governors’ and chief ministers’ houses.
“We will break the walls of these houses,” he thundered to an approving crowd. “We will build schools and libraries in these palaces instead.”
Imran Khan denounced “dynastic” politics and said that his party was and always would be based on principles of democracy.
Moreover, Khan promised to fight for the rights of overseas Pakistanis.
The PTI chief also ruled out the possibility of an alliance with current ruling political parties in the upcoming elections.
The weather in Lahore mirrored the sentiments of the PTI diehard loyalists who waved PTI flags and let out a loud roar of appreciation at the sight of Imran Khan and upon hearing each of his promises.
He reminded his fevered supporters that he would never forget their support and reminded them that it was the youth of the country that would take the tsunami forward
“Time to save Pakistan”
Addressing the crowd before Imran Khan’s speech, PTI President Javed Hashmi said it was about time Pakistan was saved.
Urging the people to pledge support for Imran Khan to salvage Pakistan, Hashmi said he would have given up on politics had it not been for the youth, who with their unwavering faith in Khan had inspired him to return to politics.
“I am here for change,” said Sana, while talking to Pakistan Today. “I believe that it is time for change and Imran Khan will bring the change.”
“I am here because I believe in Imran Khan,” said Omer, a student. “I believe that he is the most honest politician in Pakistan today, and I believe every single promise he has made.”
He said there was only one word to describe Khan’s gathering: “Majestic.”
Other people present at the scene were not so impressed.
“These people are only here because of the nice weather,” said Rizwan, a rickshaw driver. “I refuse to believe there are thousands of people there.”
Another rickshaw driver, Imtiaz, however, said, “The minute Imran Khan mentioned his tsunami, God listened to him and sent a shower of rain to prove his point.”
Social media reacts
Preceding the March 23 meeting, PTI’s tech-savvy supporters had begun circulating Imran Khan’s pictures and popular memes. Hundreds of PTI loyalists tweeted live from the meeting, gushing about the immense presence of PTI supporters gathered at the scene. Imran Khan’s popularity on Twitter exploded when the hashtag #ImranKhan jumped to number two on Twitter’s worldwide trends.
“Amazing, amazing atmosphere at the PTI rally. Enjoyed rain. The future of my kids looking secure, thank you Imran Khan,” Huma Ali tweeted.
“Wow. This was an experience. The energy was so dynamic and addictive. There is no way to describe the feeling in the crowd,” tweeted Saad Bin Javed.
Journalist Omar Warraich tweeted that he had visited Obama’s inaugural ceremony and the crowd at PTI’s rally superseded Obama’s gathering by thousands.
hey guys…we have tested both the main political parties….break the status quo…bring in a new face…give chance to IK & his team….go IK go….Allh swt & we are with u….
IT IS AMAZING HOW COULD ONE PUT HIS OWN WORDS IN A REPORT – AS TO SAY ALL CAN BE WISER AFTER THE EVENT. – TALKING OF GOVERNOR HOUSES SPACIOUS AREAS AND TURNING THESE INTO SCHOOLS -HE CERTAINLY DID NOT TALK TO THIS EFFECT RATHER HE CLAIMED TO MAKE PORTS GROUNDS THERE JUST ONE MISS QUOTE IN A STORY SPOILS THE CREDIBILITY OF WHOLE STORY SO ONE MUST BE RESPONSIBLE
. AS FOR IMRAN THAT HE MUST STOP LOOSE TALK .LIKE TAKING TWO WICKETS IN ONE BALL AND HIS TSUNAMI TURNING INTO TSUNAMA. .NOW HE IS AN ESTABLISHED POLITICAL LEADER AND SHALL ACT SAME WAY.
AS FOR GOVERNOR HOUSES THESE ARE OLD LARGE BUILDINGS, WITH BIG LAWNS SO AS TO ACCOMMODATE STATE FUNCTIONS AND STATE GUESTS. WHAT IS NEEDED TO STOP FUNCTIONARIES CORRUPTIONS AND IT WILL NOT END WITH DEMOLISHING SUCH PLACES .GO TO ANY COSMOPOLITAN CITY AND YOU WILL FIND MUCH LARGER ACCOMMODATIONS , MANY OF THESE ARE OWNED BY UNDEFINED SOURCE OF MONEY MAKING.THIS IS THE AREA IK SHALL FOCUS. BEST OF LUCK..
i think you missed the point. it's partly literal and symbolic as to say, that these so called 'leaders' who use tax payer money, he will get that back to the people of Pakistan. it anyone truly cares for Pakistan, then they will know all other parties are fraudulent and the only one with Allah's help wot save Pakistan is Imran Khan insha'Allah
If no one votes for him, they truly are fooling themselves
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