By HAMID KHAN WAZIR/ BILAL HUSSAIN KANJAL
- PTI supporters gather from across the country
- Imran Khan says our fight is against corrupt politicians
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rallied at Parade Ground in Shakarparian area in Islamabad on Sunday to celebrate Youm-e-Tashakkar (Thanksgiving Rally).
The celebratory rally was announced by PTI chief Imran Khan following Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification as prime minister by the Supreme Court on Friday.
Leaders of the opposition party, including candidate for NA-120 elections Yasmin Rashid, Secretary General Jahangir Tareen, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, Asad Umer, Arif Alvi among others were in attendance. Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Pervaiz Rasheed, who was a petitioner for Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification also took part in PTI celebrations.
Sheikh Rasheed, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Imran Khan among others addressed the rally participants.
Imran Khan, while addressing the rally, warned Asif Ali Zardari that next is his turn.
“Our fight is not against Sharif family but the corrupt, won’t spare Zardari or even Fazlur Rehman”.
Imran Khan also criticised PML-N for nominating another Sharif for prime minister’s post and called it against democracy.
“You won’t find Imran Khan’s relatives in PTI, Murad Saeed is an example of merit in my party.
PML-N must answer that you talk about democracy but you follow the rituals of a monarchy.”
“The better the meritocracy the better the democracy,” he said.
Khan also lauded the Supreme Court’s decision of disqualifying Nawaz Sharif and said: “Supreme Court has actually made the foundation of a ‘Naya Pakistan’ by delivering justice.”
A huge number of charged and passionate Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) supporters gathered at the Parade Ground.
Caravans of PTI supporters started amassing at Parade Ground in Shakarparian early in the day from across the country and even from abroad to take part in the celebratory gathering of the party.
The charged PTI workers were of the view that their anti-corruption movement aimed at not only ousting Panamagate-riddled premier but to cleanse the country of the corruption.
This time around, the party supporters seemed to turn their guns towards younger Sharif as they introduced new slogan “Go Shehbaz Go” after the ousting of Nawaz Sharif as the premier. The PTI got printed thousands of t-shirts inscribed with a renewed slogan ‘Go Shehbaz Go’, which would be formally launched during by-election on constituency NA-120.
Among the thousands of participants, Nazakat, portraying Qatari Prince Hamad Bin Jasim Bin Jaber al Thani, was also present.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Nazakat said that the PTI chairman is the only leader who could bring about the real change in the country; hence, you see the ocean of the people at the Parade Ground.
Fiaz Ahmed, who came from Vehari, said that it is a great day in the history of Pakistan, as the ousting of Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister would usher a new era of prosperity and progress.
Ijaz Ahmed, an engineer from South Waziristan, said that the today’s celebration was only possible because of Imran Khan’s untiring and persistent struggle.
Muhammad Shafiq, who came from Lahore along with his family, said that Imran Khan has given hope of ‘Naya Pakistan’ to the nation.
Mehmood Qureshi, a resident of Kohistan, said that no one could stop Imran Khan from making ‘Naya Pakistan.’
A huge contingent of police and FC personnel was deployed in and around the site of PTI’s Thanksgiving rally, as per the security plans.
A large number of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) volunteers were also present at the entry and exit points to thoroughly check people joining the rally.
This time around, security arrangements were far better than the previous public meetings of PTI, as a total of 1,600 security personnel were deployed.
Upon the arrival of Imran Khan at the venue, some disorder was witnessed as PTI workers attempted to reach the stage. They also mounted on containers reserved for newsmen for coverage of the rally.
Khan, Pervaiz Khattak and other party leaders visited the ground and reviewed the arrangements on Friday.
A similar ‘Thanksgiving Rally’ was celebrated at Islamabad’s Parade Ground on November 2, 2016, as well over the Supreme Court’s order of forming a commission to probe the Panama Papers issue.
Earlier, Islamabad district administration had granted permission to PTI to hold a public gathering in Parade Ground.
Late Saturday, a stage was set for PTI representatives and the Imran Khan to address the participants and over 35,000 chairs were placed.
Separately, while talking to a foreign news agency late Saturday, Imran Khan said that he was hopeful that the party would win the elections.
“We will contest the elections and I’m confident we will win the elections,” said Imran Khan.
While talking about Supreme Court’s ouster of Sharif, he said that “We actually are moving towards a general democracy.”
“Today in KP we have massive investment coming in … more investment is coming in compared to past ten years in KP,” he said this while talking about his government’s performance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Imran Khan, while talking about the ongoing case in which source of the funds for his 35-acre scenic property is under question, said that “I used to play cricket, everyone knows that. From that money, I bought this land. I’ve got all the papers.”
It is a classical demonstration of the morning after the night before. Nothing has changed in the pakistani politics. Another Shariff is about to take Office. The senior Shariff may be licking his wounds but he is still around. Imran is celeberating a unity dance but the political marriage will only be consumed when he becomes the PM which is long from certain. Meanwhile dance and pounce to your hearts desire. You have won a battle but have yet to win the war!
[…] the ruling party faces challenges as diverse as judicial probes, military intrusion, the opposition gaining momentum, and disgruntled senior party members threatening […]
Comments are closed.