People from all walks of society have urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to withdraw his call for civil disobedience, show flexibility and discuss demands with the government for an amicable solution to the current political standoff.
“Owing to sit-ins by Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chairman Tahirul Qadri the country’s image abroad is being tarnished and the national economy has been hit hard,” they added.
They said that the country had been facing a number of challenges and the marches were serving no purpose but to halt national development. They said every political party has the right to hold protests but the time is not right for it. They said that the civil disobedience call was illegal and unconstitutional and an attempt to pitch the masses and law enforcement institutions against each other.
Citizens Protection Committee Convenor Muhammed Esa said the civil disobedience call by Khan would hit the democratic system and push the country to chaos.
He said losses of billions of rupees had already been inflicted on the national exchequer because of the marches and if the PTI chief did not abandon with his stubborn attitude, the situation would worsen and someone else would benefit from it.
Pakistan Workers Confederation Secretary General Khurshid Ahmed said working class was concerned over PTI’s civil disobedience call and wanted an early settlement of issues. He said Khan should resolve the issues on the table instead of the streets.
Lahore Stock Exchange (LSE) former president Asim Zafar said that the civil disobedience call would not only lower national standing but also create a negative impression about its trade and investment abroad. He urged Khan to withdraw his call as it was not in the interest of Pakistan.
Hall Road Traders Association former president Khawaja Salahuddin said people had rejected the civil disobedience call and it was high time for Khan to save his political career by calling off the long march.
Lahore Cantonment Lawyers Forum President Irfan Khichi condemned the call and said it was unconstitutional. He said lawyers had always struggled for the restoration of democracy in the country and would foil a conspiracy against it. He urged the PTI leadership to withdraw the civil disobedience call in national interest.