“I am standing with my army. The people of Pakistan are being pitted against the army,” he said at a press conference in Lahore on Tuesday. “We never came into politics with the support of any party. Just work for the public and they will vote for you.”

He said he took his decision after May 9 riots when installations and memorials of martyrs were attacked. He went on to add that such protests cannot be started without the direction of party leaders.

He added that he had never taken pressure from anyone since the day he joined politics. “We only do politics keeping in view the needs of the public,” he added.

“Pakistan forces fought two wars and sacrificed their lives for us. Terrorism ended from Pakistan because of the forces. Pakistani people have always supported their forces, if there is no public support then same will happen what happened in East Pakistan. The people are being put in front of the army, there will be loss if the people and the army come face to face.”

More to follow…