Imran gives ‘final call’ for protest in capital on Nov.24

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan has called for a march on Islamabad on Nov.24.

His sister, Aleema Khan, told reporters outside the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi after meeting him that her brother has issued a final call, addressing every supporter to take to the streets across Pakistan.

Meanwhile, reacting to Imran’s call, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said that complete preparations were in place for the protest and this time, the PTI workers would not leave the protest venue till the acceptance of their demands.

Imran said, according to his sister, that “on Feb.8, you brought about a revolution [in the general election], and you took to the streets to exercise your constitutional right. You took power away from the elite and became powerful. But on Feb.9, the entire mandate was stolen.”

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party's supporters protest in Quetta. File/AFP

She said that Imran expressed frustration over the alleged theft of votes, claiming they were handed over to a select few. She highlighted his concerns about what he said the erosion of judicial independence, and claimed that the freedom of the Supreme Court has been taken away.

Imran’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry told media outside the Adiala Jail the PTI founder has set up a committee to organise the Islamabad march, although he declined to reveal the members’ names, stating, “I won’t disclose them, as they could be arrested.”

The lawyer said that Imran announced that Islamabad will be the focal point of the Nov.24 protest, with demonstrations to be held across Pakistan and worldwide.

He added that the protests will continue until their demands are met.

Chaudhry said Imran has called this the “final protest call,” with key demands, including the reversal of the 26th constitutional amendment, the restoration of PTI’s mandate, and the release of individuals detained without trial.

Chaudhry stated that Imran said that the entire PTI leadership will participate in the protest, and the whole party knows what needs to be done.

He added that the authority to end the protest will lie with a committee.