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LAHORE:
Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has urged the establishment to save the country and economy from “going downhill” further, saying that the people will hold them responsible if it does not act.
“I know you are neutral but people will hold you [establishment] responsible to save the country and economy from this quagmire,” the former premier said while addressing a public gathering in Gujranwala on Saturday.
“The way this ‘imported government’ is taking the country towards destruction we might not be able to come out of this quagmire,” he said, adding that only early and fair elections could bring stability to the country.
Imran said that still there is a time to bring the country out of this economic quagmire. “If the economy is weakened further the national security will be at stake.”
He added, “We have to accept the pressure of the foreign power. No country will come to save Pakistan but the 10 million overseas Pakistanis. All economic woes of the country will be resolved if we could attract their investment.”
Speaking about his next phase of the ‘real freedom movement,’ the PTI chief said he has written a letter to the party’s district organisations asking them to start preparations for street protests.
Also read: Imran claims ‘bid to implement minus-1 formula’
He urged the entire nation and party workers to get ready for “peaceful protests” across the country in a bid to force the coalition government led by PML-N to call early elections.
Imran said after the postponement of by-elections it was apparent that the incumbent rulers were “running away” from the early elections.
“Without free and early elections, the economy will continue to sink… I will give a call soon for protests. We have to snatch the freedom,” he added.
‘Contempt of court’
Imran Khan, the ousted prime minister, also announced the acceptance of the verdict of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the contempt of court case.
The PTI chairman said he always respected the Islamabad High Court and IHC Chief Justice Athar Minhala for their wise decisions.
“I am not saying this because my case is being heard in the court but I truly acknowledge their judgements despite the fact that the court did not allow me to speak otherwise, I might get a chance to present my viewpoint and clear my position,” he said and clarified that his remarks were not against the judge but over alleged inhuman attitude against Shahbaz Gill who he said was neither killer nor terrorist but badly tortured in the custody.
He also played Gill’s video in the public gathering and said his reaction was over brutality against Shahbaz Gill.
The former premier also said those who hatched a conspiracy against his government are now trying to disqualify him. Dozens of cases, even terrorism and blasphemy, have been registered against him.
Also read: Utter disbelief in PTI camp post IHC verdict
“Earlier, with the help of ‘Mr X’ and teaming up with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and administration the imported rulers tried their best to rig the July 17 bye-election but failed miserably. Now they have run from by-election just a couple of days before the schedule because they know it would be impossible to defeat the PTI through the ballot.”
He asked the youth that he needs their support for his struggle for real independence and underscored the need for rule of law and justice in the country. “I am ready to sacrifice my life for real independence in the country. Jail is a little thing if the country got real independence,” added.
The PTI chief reiterated that his government was sent packing on the pretext of inflation. “In fact, the country’s economy was growing at the highest rate in 17 years. The country’s exports were at the highest level. Remittances were at record levels. The conspiracy was hatched against my government because I was not ready to accept the slavery of foreign powers. India was buying 40% cheaper oil from Russia but Pakistan could not avail this opportunity.”
Earlier during a short address at Gujranwala Bar Association, Imran said: “I need lawyers for my struggle for real independence. The country is under siege by big thieves. The lawyer’s community always worked rule of the law in the country. Lawyers, like Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal, also worked for the independence of Pakistan. Now it is your duty to work for real independence in the country. InshahAllah, we will work together for real independence in the country.”
PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, PTI Central Punjab President Dr Yasmin Rashid, PTI Central Punjab General Secretary Hammad Azhar and other senior party leaders were present on the occasion.