LAHORE: A teenager riding a motorcycle was killed on Wednesday when a container-laden truck of the PTI hit him from the rear end at the Pindi Bypass in Gujranwala, rescue sources said.

Rescue officials said that an 11-year-old got injured in the accident. They were supposed to take part in the PTI’s anti-government campaign.

The driver of the truck fled from the scene after the accident. Sources said that the PTI truck was about to participate in the long march under the leadership of local leader Chaudhry Muhammad Rizwan Mustafa Sial.

The people had blocked the road after the accident in a protest and chanted slogans against PTI chief Imran Khan.

Rescue officials have shifted the body and injured to the nearest hospital.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad administration was sent a notice by the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday on the PTI’s request for a sit-in and procession in the federal capital. The administration’s officer concerned would also have to appear before the court.

IHC judge Justice Amir Farooq presided heard the PTI petition. The former ruling party, which is on road to its anti-government ‘Azadi March’, had moved the court against the Islamabad administration’s decision to not give it permission for the request.

“The PTI had requested for the NOC for ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’. The Islamabad administration is delaying this matter,” Ateequr Rehman, the lawyer of petitioner Ali Nawaz Awan, said.

The Imran Khan-led party has asked the capital administration to allow permission for holding a rally on November 6 and November 7.

Petition

PTI, a peaceful party, does not intend to does not believe in confrontation with a state institution, said the petition.

“There was no other choice than going into the public after the conspiracy hatched to change the regime,” it said, adding that the PTI decided to start the long march in view of the “prevailing” economic, mismanagement and bad condition.

The PTI long march, which started from Lahore’s Liberty Chowk, would end in Islamabad.

In what can best be described as an accidental spill, Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir admitted that the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz was behind the anti-Imran Khan banners that greeted the PTI’s long march in Gujranwala on Tuesday.

He made the remarks on Hamid Mir’s TV show Capital Talk. Shoaib Shaheen, the president of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association was also present at the show.

The PML-N leader was speaking about how his party still did not have a level playing field in Punjab. While elaborating his claim that Punjab Police was facilitating PTI’s long march to Islamabad, Dastgir quietly let it slip that the police had started taking down the anti-Imran banners “as soon as we started putting them up.”

Host Hamid Mir was quick to pounce with a cackle, “So you were putting them up?”

As PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’ entered Gujranwala on Tuesday, it was met with banners hurled throughout along the route and attributed to ‘citizens of Gujranwala’.

The banners said, “Wristwatch thief, Toshakhana thief, Imran Khan is rejected!” and “Foul language against national institutions is rejected!”

One variant said, “Gujranwala will never forgive those who split up Gujranwala!” This is presumably in response to the PTI-led Punjab government’s proposal of turning Wazirabad tehsil of Gujranwala into a new district. Pundits had speculated that the step was aimed at denting the influence of PML-N in a division that has traditionally been its stronghold.

PTI’s long march also came under attack in the same city in 2014, when the procession was pelted with stones, and the party workers also exchanged intense sloganeering with PML-N workers. PTI leaders had to take cover as they passed through PML-N strongholds. This time, however, the anti-march sentiment seems to be limited to banners only.

The ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’ is set to resume the sixth day of its slow progress to the capital, hoping to force early elections in the country.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf would resume its anti-government campaign, ‘Azadi March’, from Rawalpindi bypass, Gujranwala. It would be the sixth day of the PTI’s long march.

“The cavalcade will leave at 11:30am [from Gujranwala] under the leadership of Imran Khan,” Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, the Punjab government spokesperson said in a statement. “PTI chief Imran will address party workers at Rahwali.”

They will stop at Gakhar after the former premier’s address. “The people are fed up with the PDM and looking towards Imran. Incidents such as restrictions on freedom of expression and violence against journalists are common in the fascism of the imported government.”

In an apparent reference to the incumbent government, she alleged that the group rejected by the people was allowed to “openly propagate” while her party, which according to her was supported by the people, was not allowed to speak.

Musarrat said that the Pakistan Democratic Movement, despite having all the resources could not convince the people. She claimed that the government was irked by a large number of people at the long march.

“If there is no threat from the Azadi March, then why the government has approved a grant of Rs410 for the security of Islamabad,” she asked, “thousands of FC, police, and Rangers personnel have been deployed in the federal capital because of this fear.”

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice President Maryam Nawaz accused PTI chief Imran Khan of trying to create obstacles in the appointment of the next army chief.

Addressing a press conference in London, Maryam said that the appointment of the next army chief will take place in accordance with the rules. “Imran Khan has nothing to do with the appointment of the next army chief.”

The tenure of the incumbent General Qamar Javed Bajwa will end on November 29, with rivals accusing Imran Khan of politicising the appointment of the next army chief.

Potshots at Imran

The PML-N leader also lashed out at PTI’s protest march to Islamabad, saying there were more security personnel at the march than participants. “Why is so much money being spent on security arrangements? This is yet another Imran-hatched conspiracy that has been unmasked.”

Citing the issue of the cipher, she accused Imran of using lies to compromise national security.

In dozens of public appearances and press conferences, Imran claimed that a foreign-sponsored conspiracy resulted in his ouster in April’s no-confidence vote. He supported this claim by waving a document which he claimed was a cipher sent by a US official to the Pakistani ambassador in the US.

“His lies forced the director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence to discredit Imran’s lies,” said Maryam, referring to the unprecedented press conference by the country’s spymaster, Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum alongside military spokesperson Lt Gen Babar Iftikhar.

“He begs at your feet at night and then grabs your neck in the morning,” she said, referring to the spymaster’s remark about Imran Khan in the same press conference. “But the truth about the late-night meetings has now been exposed.”

While talking publically about defamation suit against the chief election commissioner, Imran offered indefinite extension behind closed doors, she continued.

“Judges in courts repeatedly asked the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for evidence, but the corruption watchdog’s prosecutor continued to be evasive. “Imran will believe anything he is handed over on a chit. But courts need proof.”

She said that Imran had also claimed that Establishment had told him of Nawaz Sharif’s corruption. “But later he was proven innocent.”

Maryam said Imran should apologize to Nawaz Sharif for the false allegations. “But instead of apologizing, he talks about NRO (legal pardon),” she continued.

“Despite getting Nawaz Sharif imprisoned, he could not win. That’s why he had the RTS (result transmission system) shut down.

It warrants mention here that the RTS system crashed during the last general elections, with both the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Imran’s rivals have repeatedly insinuated that the country’s intelligence agencies engineered the failure to get Imran elected. This is also the reason Imran’s rival use the moniker ‘ladla’ or ‘blue-eyed boy’ for him.

‘Massive Scandal’

In her media talk today, Maryam said that another major scandal of the PTI chief was going to hit the news soon.

“He took precious jewelery from the Toshakhana and sold it. He bought jewelery worth Rs20 million and sold it for Rs220 million,” she said. “So far, Imran Khan has stolen Rs500 million from the Tosha Khana.”

The ECP recently disqualified Imran Khan from holding public office till the next election for unlawfully selling state gifts and concealing assets.

Maryam Nawaz said that the Establishment’s decision confine itself to its constitutional role and not to interfere in politics was something that Nawaz Sharif already stood for. “Imran Khan has fallen flat on his face. Nawaz Sharif has defeated Imran Khan on every front including public mandate.”

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari has barred policemen from participating in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s protest march to Islamabad.

A letter has been issued from the IGP office addressed to all police officers including the Peshawar police chief and all regional police officers (RPOs).

According to the letter, the federal government has identified the procedure for government employees to protest. Government servants are also barred from attending protests against government decisions.

No government employee will be part of the PTI protest, the letter stated.

Apart from this, no policeman shall leave his jurisdiction on his territory and the policeman shall perform their duty as per the law.

A day after PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif mocked Imran Khan over the turnout of his protest march to Islamabad, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief accused the elder Sharif of begging for relief whenever cases came up against him.

“I am not Nawaz Sharif that I would start begging when there are cases. Nawaz Sharif will go straight to jail when he returns to Pakistan,” said Imran while addressing participants of his ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’ (march for real freedom) at the Kangni Wala bypass in Gujranwala.

A day earlier, Nawaz had tweeted that he had instructed his younger brother, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, not to provide Imran with a ‘face-saving opportunity’ via amid rumours of more backchannel talks.

During his speech to supporters, Imran said that there were about 30 first infomation reports (FIR) registered against him, including one on terrorism. He said Nawaz and PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari were the ones behind the ‘conspiracy’ against PTI.

In a tweet as well, Imran said that the protesters were marching for a revolution.

In a warning shot to Zardari, Imran said: “I am coming to Sindh for you. Get ready. I am the politician who did not run away from the country,” he said.

He accused Nawaz Sharif of fleeing the country following a pardon (after the takeover of General Pervez Musharraf in 1999) and then on the pretext of health (2019) following his conviction in the Avenfield reference.

“I will contest the election against Nawaz Sharif and defeat him in his constituency,” said Imran. PML-N is just a family party and shrinking. PTI is now the biggest party in the country, he continued.

He then turned his attention towards the the Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, who he has accused of being in the PML-N’s pocket, calling him a ‘servant’ of the Sharif clan. “I will file a defamaation case against him to pay Rs10 billion in damages.”

He also highlighted the cases of alleged custodial torture of PTI leaders Azam Swati and Shahbaz Gul, while lamenting the death of Arshad Sharif. “He was killed because he was honest and truthful.”

Imran added that the chief justice should order taking down of ‘cameras installed by security agencies outside Azam Swati’s residence’.

He said that Pakistani citizens were deprived of their rights. “The people of East Pakistan were not being given their right. The politicians here (West Pakistan) were the one’s who didn’t give the rights (to the people in the eastern wing). The result was that the country splintered into two,” he said.

Imran said that efforts were afoot to create a conflict between the country’s biggest political party and the country’s army. He accused the PML-N of behind this alleged conflict.

It’s Tuesday, day five of the PTI’s ‘Azadi March’ that kicked off on October 28 with an aim to force the government to announce snap elections. Imran Khan, the leading man of the march, would resume the cavalcade from Chan Da Qila in Gujranwala today (Tuesday).

The PTI is marching on the GT road and ended the fourth day of the procession in Gujranwala. Imran, who has been seeing a revolution in the country since his ouster in April, would pass through Bhatta Plaza after crossing the planned points. Workers and supporters would be present near the Sheikhupura Mor to welcome the leaders. It is expected that Imran would make a speech at this point.

Imran had returned to Zaman Park in Lahore, as per updates till Monday night.

The next stations are Larai Ada, Shaheen Abad, Aliana Plaza, and then Pindi bypass.

“The Haqeeqi Azadi March would start at 12pm today [Tuesday],” Musarrat Cheema, the spokesperson of the Punjab government, said in a statement. He added that Imran would also address workers at the Super Asia Chowk after a speech at Chan Da Qila.

‘Gujranwala does not belong to PML-N now’

The spokesperson said that the coalition government has panicked after seeing the “success” of the long march. “If there are no people [in the march] then the government approached the Supreme Court. The government has brought the security of whole Pakistan in Islamabad after fearing of the long march,” he said.

On the government’s countermeasures, he claimed that such measures were not even taken when martial law was declared in the country.

He alleged that Gujranwala does not belong to the PML-N “now” and the people have announced their verdict in favour of the PTI.

“Supremacy of law is our only purpose. We don’t want to fight with the institutions,” Cheema said.

The United States administration has once again rejected former prime minister Imran Khan’s allegations of regime change in Pakistan by the world’s superpower.

“What we can do is counter disinformation, misinformation with information,” US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said while addressing a press briefing on Monday. “And we’ve said many times now, including in this briefing room, that there is no truth to these allegations.”

Imran was ousted from the office of prime minister in April through a vote of no-confidence, which the former premier claims was sponsored by a foreign conspiracy. He has described it as a “regime change” plot after he visited Russia.

The PTI chief “revealed” it in a party rally in Islamabad on March 27, 2022. He held a piece of paper in the gathering that he claimed was “evidence of foreign conspiracy” being hatched to topple his government.

Imran, who started his anti-government ‘Azadi March’ on October 28 in demand for snap elections, has been using such claims in his speeches. He reiterated that the country would not accept any “imported government” that was apparently planned and formed in the West or US. The “threat letter”

Price, who has many times rebuffed such allegations, said: “We won’t let propaganda, we won’t let misinformation or disinformation get in the way of an important bilateral relationship, including our valued bilateral partnership with Pakistan.”

The State Department spokesperson reiterated that his administration valued the longstanding cooperation between the US and Pakistan. “We’ve always viewed a prosperous and democratic Pakistan as critical to our interests. That remains unchanged.”

“I understand in the case of Pakistan, elections have not yet been scheduled, but we support the peaceful upholding of constitutional and democratic principles not just in Pakistan, around the world. These are issues that we discuss with all of our partners around the world,” he said in response to a query on credibility of election process in Pakistan.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Sunday that PTI didn’t need any support from the establishment, adding that he would pressure the federal government into calling snap elections with the help of the nation’s power.

“Dr. Arif Alvi will hold dialogue on behalf of PTI in case of any negotiation with the government,” the PTI chief told Aaj News Lahore’s bureau chief.

The PTI chief said that he didn’t want anyone’s support for the achievement of his goals as he had the people’s support.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed while talking to vloggers that the PTI chairman offered talks with the government a month ago through a mutual businessman friend to resolve two issues.

“The first matter was the army chief’s appointment and the second was holding early elections,” he added.

“Imran Khan was calling for dialogue but also giving threats,” the premier had said and added that the PTI chief always rejected the government’s offer for holding dialogue.

Meanwhile, the PTI chairperson rejected the premier’s claims saying that why would he send a message to premier.

Addressing the party supporters and activists in Muridke during his long march the former premier questioned what was the use of talking to PM Shehbaz. “What is there to talk to you?”

Imran Khan reiterated that the PTI needed a free and fair election.

The PTI, on various occasions, has clarified that Imran Khan was willing to negotiate with the coalition government but only if it announced a date for a snap election.

Channel 5 reporter, Sadaf Naeem, slipped and crushed under the container of Imran Khan during the long march near Sadhuki.

She was covering PTI long march and while trying to go up on the container she was run over by the container.

Following the tragic incident, PTI Chairperson Imran Khan announced to to halt the long march that he is leading towards Islamabad to pressure the federal government into calling snap elections.

The PTI chairperson got off the container to see the deceased reporter.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his grief over the tragic death of the female journalist.

“Deeply saddened by the death of reporter Sadaf Naeem, who fell from long march container,” the premier said in a tweet.

“Heartfelt condolences to the family,” the premier said and added that Sadaf Naeem was an active reporter and was committed to her work.

The prime minister prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the loss with fortitude.

Meanwhile, the PM telephoned the husband of deceased journalist and condoled with him.

He said the government was with his family in this hour of grief and would extend all possible support to the bereaved family.

Punjab announces Rs3.5 million for Sadaf’s family

Meanwhile, the Punjab government announced Rs3.5 million as compensation for the bereaved family of deceased journalist Sadaf Naeem.

The spokesperson to Chief Minister and Punjab Government, Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, said that Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has announced Rs2.5 million while DGPR Punjab allocates Rs1 million separately as financial assistance for the family of deceased reporter.

Punjab government will also support the children of the deceased and their educational expenses will also be borne by the provincial government, Musrat Cheema added.

He said that CM Elahi and his team members were deeply grieved over the sad demise of the journalist, adding that Punjab government and PTI as a party stand with Naeem’s family in this hour of sorrow.

The government’s decision to expand the areas of Islamabad’s Red Zone into the Zero Point will lead to political confrontation, former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad warned on Sunday.

Rashid, who is famous for his political prophecies, said that such a decision also negates the Supreme Court order.

“The institutions have also said that there is no restriction on holding a peaceful march. On Friday, November 4, we will accord a historic welcome to the long march from Rawat to Islamabad,” the former interior minister said in a series of tweets on Sunday.

“The government is running away from elections. The offer of negotiations is just a bluff. Those who originally hold power should conduct elections for the betterment of the country,” he said and added that confronting the will of the people means the destruction of the economy and default.

Rashid alleged that the Federal Investigation Agency was putting pressure on the Punjab police to arrest him. “There will be a hearing on my petition for my pre-arrest bail in the Lahore High Court on Oct 31 [tomorrow],” he added.

PTI chief Imran Khan was “clueless and oblivious” to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s claims that the former contacted latter for the army chief appointment a month ago via a businessman.

“O Shehbaz Sharif, why would I send a message to you,” he said while addressing the party supporters and activists in Muridke from where the long march resumed on its third day. “What is the use of talking to you? What is there to talk to you?”

PM Shehbaz earlier in the day claimed that the PTI chief had approached him for dialogue on the army chief appointment and election date. But, the premier rejected the offer by saying that talks could be held on the “charter of economy and democracy”.

The premier added that the appointment of the next army chief was the prerogative of the incumbent prime minister under the Constitution.

“I talked about those who control you and I said conduct free and fair election in the country nothing else,” PTI chief Imran said to a charged crowd, which started gathering before noon to take part in the cavalcade that would end in Islamabad on November 4.

“Listen Shehbaz Sharif I do not talk to boot polishers,” he said, “I talked to those and talked about them [with whom] you used to meet while hiding in the car’s trunk.”

He reiterated that the PTI need a free and fair election. “We will accept what people will decide. American slaves or dacoits are not acceptable to me.”

Reacting to Indian media reports over his speech against the ISI DG and ISPR DG presser, Imran said that the media of the neighbouring country should not get excited as he has no difference with the army.

“I want the army to be strong. We need a strong army. My criticism is not [intended] to harm them. The Indian media is happy that I and the army are facing off. We are with our military — but our criticism is constructive,” he said.

“Don’t get misunderstood India, we are standing with our army. There were celebrations in India after the DG ISI press conference that Imran and the army are up against each other. I want to tell India that it is our army and I can never be against them.”

PTI chief Imran Khan has arrived at the Muridke Bazaar, the point from where the long march would resume on its third day. Activists and protestors of PTI had started gathering at the point as the party had announced their decision to recommence the march at 11am.

The third day of the cavalcade would resume from this point, which is at a short distance from their camp in Ferozewala.

PTI leaders Andleeb Abbas, MPA Khurram Ijaz Chatha, Umar Aftab Dhillion and Rahat Ullah Aman were in the container.

The procession would leave for Gujranwala after Imran’s address. As per plans, the PTI chief would stop at different camps. It was expected that the march would reach the next stop by night.

Imran would leave for Zaman Park after addressing the rally in Gujranwala.

Amid a rising crescendo over the timing of PTI’s long march and army chief appointment, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has spilled the beans and claimed that his predecessor Imran Khan came up with a “dialogue offer” via a businessman a month ago.

The dialogue offer, about which the premier spoke in detail in response to a question during a press conference where YouTubers were present, entailed two important matters, firstly the army chief appointment and the election date.

PM Shehbaz accepted the dialogue offer excluding the appointment of the chief of army staff. He reiterated that such a decision was a Constitutional matter and expressed hope to perform it in a “good manner” that would be in the best interest of the country.

President Arif Alvi, who belongs to Imran-led party, had earlier this month called for broader consultation on the army chief appointment while giving a past example to support his statement when the PTI consulted the-then opposition to giving a three-year extension to COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Imran’s ‘dialogue offer’

When a reporter asked about ousted PM Nawaz Sharif’s claim that Imran started a long march to appoint his army chief, PM Shehbaz spilled the beans.

“I should tell this today that one of my acquaintances, who is not associated with politics and is a businessman, brought Imran Khan’s message to me a month ago that ’I want to have a dialogue.”

The PTI chief was calling for dialogue but also giving threats. “I listened to him.” Imran has always rejected the dialogue offers, the premier said while reminding of his overtures to the former ruling party in Parliament. “He never bothered to shake hands. I had no interest in shaking hands with him but we have Islamic values and this is a way in the world. I had no issue.”

The premier reiterated that the cricketer-turned-politician has always rejected talks offers.

To the message from the acquaintance, he said: “I asked on which issues? The businessman said Imran wanted to have talks on two issues, firstly army chief appointment that ‘we should decide it together’ and secondly that ‘we are ready to decide’ the election date.”

PM Shehbaz replied that “now” Imran was remembering this to appoint the army chief.

“I asked that when the army chief appointment… did they consult me when they did the amendment in the Army Act and this is a Constitutional matter. The Constitution has given the prerogative to the prime minister to appoint the army chief so on what point he [Imran] wants to have a negotiation.”

The PTI chief had suggested that three names should be suggested for the army chief appointment from the government and the PTI side.

“I said that give him [Imran] the message that I am ready for dialogue which does not lead the country to any crisis situation, including the charter of economy, the charter of democracy, and many more. But, the point of discussion on the army chief appointment, it is a Constitutional matter and I don’t want to have a discussion with him on this.”

The premier claimed that he was sharing this information because such a decision was a Constitutional matter. “And, I wish I can perform this Constitutional right in a good manner. In the best interest of Pakistan. And that’s it.”

‘Gen Bajwa supported Imran’

“Imran attacked the military very badly,” he said while reacting to his predecessor’s speeches in rallies after Inter-Services Intelligence DG Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum and Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar held a joint press conference on Thursday.

The premier reminded the PTI chief that such institutions were for the country’s defence. “Since its inception, they [their personnel] have sacrificed their lives. Just look at the terrorism period, in which many laces were inhabitable. Nothing was safe. How terrorists attacked our officers, just remember that,” he said.

“Our army fought with those terrorists with strong determination. These sacrifices, you cannot malign such institutions,” the premier said and lambasted Imran for his “false narrative” pertaining to a foreign conspiracy at the time of the vote of no-confidence.

“What kind of words he used to use for me such as I boot polish and many more? One who raised him, the military raised him, and the institution made him successful, they helped Imran for four years in a way that is unprecedented in history. Even if 20 per of that support was given to us, we would have made this country successful. But, after that much support, he couldn’t deliver.”

He accused Imran of using party leaders Azam Swati, Shahbaz Gill, and other leaders – who were arrested and apparently tortured while in custody – to malign these institutions.

PM Shehbaz added that the ISI DG had talked to him before the presser. “I need your permission to hold a press conference in a very cautious way,” he quoted Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum as saying. “Gen Bajwa supported Imran and gave extra support to Imran.”

He was of the view that if the ISI DG answered within the limits of the Constitution then there was not any problem. “India is very happy as Imran is targeting the ISI DG. Now he is their [India] hero. He is supporting the enemy just to save his politics.”

To a query that the army has said “no to politics” and Imran’s recent speeches, he said: “Only institution knows their thinking, they know how they brought Imran. This is a very good thing if they have decided to be apolitical. We must appreciate it.”

He vowed that the government would make Imran’s efforts unsuccessful if he tried to enter Rawalpindi

He further announced that agricultural packages would soon be announced.

“I am ready to have ties with India. But, India also has to talk about Kashmir, and the cruelty that they are doing to them. They will have to talk about such issues.”

Saudi crown prince to visit Pakistan

PM Shehbaz, the brother of ousted PM Nawaz Sharif, reiterated that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman would soon visit Pakistan. He said this while sharing the details of his meetings in the kingdom during a visit on October 24.

“Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman would soon be visiting Pakistan,” he reiterated while addressing a media briefing after his meeting with social media influencers on Sunday in Lahore. “Saudi investors, private and government, are ready to make investments in Pakistan.”

He added that Pakistani people would give a rousing welcome to the Saudi crown prince.

Mohammed bin Salman, who is also the prime minister of the kingdom, would visit Pakistan to set up around $10 billion worth of a oil refinery here.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the last visit of Mohammed bin Salman in February 2019, signed MoUs for an investment of $21 billion in various sectors of the economy, including for the project of a deep conversion refinery and petrochemical complex with an investment of $10 billion in Gwadar.

‘History repeating itself’

The premier compared the timing of PTI’s long march with the 2014 sit-in.

“Unfortunately, history is repeating itself that in September 2013 when Chinese President Xi Jinping was about to visit Pakistan,” he said as he made reference to the 2013 PTI sit-in.

“The-then Chinese ambassador said that wait for three days and go from here… I was there,” he claimed. “PM Nawaz Sharif asked me to talk to heads of other institutions that Pakistan would suffer if the Chinese president would not visit,” he said, “but, they [PTI] did not listen and continued sit-in.”

“Then, the Chinese president visited Pakistan after seven months,” he said and expressed concerns if people died in the procession.

He made reference to the press conference of Faisal Vawda, who got terminated from the party on Saturday, in which the former PTI leader claimed that the long march would turn “bloody”.

The premier accused Imran of ruining Pakistan’s relationship with friendly countries. “What kind of service is that? You have created a narrative to destroy Pakistan,” he said.

“I have served this province [Punjab] for more than 12 years. I made mistakes but those must be honest mistakes. I build the province which Imran and former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar destroyed.”

Shehbaz, who was serving as the Punjab chief minister during the PTI sit-in, claimed that billions of dollars of investment were wasted due to the demonstration in Islamabad.

“In 2014, I met China’s ambassador at the PM House he said, I tried my best but I have received a call from China that the tour is cancelled,” the premier said, “now I am going to China and you are trying to do the same thing. History is repeating itself. What image we are giving to China about Pakistan, our institutions, and our people? I think this is the biggest conspiracy against Pakistan.”

The PTI would resume its long march from Muridke today (Sunday). It would be the third of the march, which kicked off from Lahore’s Liberty Chowk on October 28. The party completed the second day of their cavalcade in Ferozwala on Saturday night.

The former ruling party has been demanding snap elections from the coalition government, which they think was “imported”.

The march was initially expected to end on day two at Kamoke, however, it was changed after PTI chief Imran Khan had to abruptly leave for an “important meeting” in Lahore.

But, Imran has rebuffed such rumours of leaving the protest for an “important meeting”.

“To all those, who are spreading rumours about my meeting, the reason for our return was that Lahore was near and we had already decided to not travel at night,” he said in a tweet.

“For the last six months, my only demand has been the announcement of the date for the immediate holding of a free and fair election. If negotiations will take place, it will be on this demand,” he added.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan rejected rumours that his abrupt departure for Lahore from the site of his party’s protest march was due to an important meeting, which many interpreted to be a sign that more backroom negotiations were talking place.

“My only demand for the last six months has been the [announcement of the] date for the immediate holding of fair and transparent elections. If negotiations will take place, it will be on this demand,” tweeted Imran to his more than 18 million followers on Twitter.

He said the reason for his return to Lahore was the city’s proximity to the location where the march had arrived. “We had already decided not to march at night.”

PTI leader Asad Umar told participants of the long march that they would be camping for the night in Ferozewala, a short distance from their planned destination Murdike, due to Imran Khan’s return to Lahore for an important meeting. The march was initially expected to end day two at Kamoke, which was earlier changed to Muridke.

Both Muridke and Ferozewala are in the Sheikhapura district adjoining Lahore.

Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry, in respective addresses to supporters, also confirmed that Imran Khan would return by 11:30am Sunday to lead the protest onward.

Initially, the march was supposed to reach Gujranwala by the end of the second day. But due to the slow pace of the convoy, the leaders decided to finish the day at Kamoke, which was later revised to Muridke.

Sources within the party said that the long march would not move forward at night in view of the security situation.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan left his party’s protest march, which is camping overnight in Muridke, to head to his Lahore residence at Zaman Park for what party insiders desrcibed as a “key meeting”.

Imran left the calvacade for an “unknown location” when it reached Rachna en route to Gujranwala. Later, sources within the party said that he was headed to Lahore for an important meeting.

Asad Umar later confirmed the same, telling participants of the long march that Imran Khan would reach Muridke at 11:30 Sunday. “He had to leave for an important meeting.”

Fawad Chaudhry told them that the march for the day was coming to an end for the day. “We will resume tomorrow at 11am from Muridke.”

It was not clear who he was meeting although Imran’s abrupt departure gave rise to the possibility of of another round of back-channel talks.

Earlier today, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb categorically ruled out the possibility of dialogue with Imran, saying that he didnt want early elections but bloodshed and chaos.

Imran has also consistently refused talks, saying that they woudl be futile.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s ‘march for real freeom’ - or the Haqeeq Azadi March - will stop at the city of Muridke, Sheikhapura, on the outskirts of Lahore at the end of the second day.

Party sources said that the local leadership took the decision on the instruction of the party heads, with party chief Imran Khan to leave for his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.

The march, which began from Lahore’s Liberty Chowk on Friday, will resume tomorrow with protesters hoping to reach the capital Islamabad on November 4.

On day one, protesters marched Lahore starting from Liberty Chowk. It went through Ferozepur Road to Ichra, Mazang, MAO College, the General Post Office Chowk and then to Data Darbar. From there, protesters marched to the and Azadi Chowk, the last pitstop of the day.

On day two, the workers were directed to reach Shahdara on Saturday (today) morning from where the march resumed. The long march was scheduled to reach Kamoki via Muridke on the second day. At around 4 pm, Imran Khan gave a speech near the Imamia Colony.

From Kamoki, the marchers would head to Gujranwala, then Daska to reach Sialkot. After Sialkot, the next location on the itinerary is Gujrat through Sambaryal and Wazirabad. The remaining locations include Lala Musa, Kharian and Jhelum.

The long march is scheduled to enter Rawalpindi from Gujjar Khan and Islamabad from Rawalpindi on November 4, while caravans from across the country are also scheduled to reach Islamabad on the same day.

A special container for the real Azadi March is located at Liberty Square. It includes an executive portions with air conditioning, sofas and washroom for the party leadership.