LAHORE: PTI chief Imran Khan has kicked off his second long march of the year and claimed that it was not for politics or election or personal interest.

“It has only one purpose that I free my nation in order to make it an independent nation,” he said while addressing party workers. He was standing on the roof of his container along with other party leaders.

The PTI chief had arrived at the Liberty Chowk, the starting point of the long march, from Zaman Park. Supporters had amassed Imran’s container upon its arrival at the point.

Earlier in the day, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry announced that the party has dedicated its long march to slain journalist Arshad Sharif. PTI leader Babar Awan In a press conference in Islamabad clarified that the long march was not “a war”, adding that the party had always “stayed peaceful” and would continue to do so.

“I have only purpose that… my leader Quad-e-Azam had freed us from the British. The time has come Pakistanis that we start the ‘real freedom’ of Pakistan,” he said.

He said that Azam Swati has named Fahim and Faisal in his press conference. Imran claimed that Swati was tortured in front of his family.

“Today, I ask you [COAS] Gen Bajwa that when Bilawal Bhutto gave a statement against the ISI Sector commander in Karachi who harassed [someone]. You removed him. Remove them, remove these two [Fahim and Faisal]. They are defaming you, Gen Bajwa.”

Imran was of the view that Swati’s arrest brought a bad name for Pakistan. “We want our institutions to be strong.”

He said: “DG ISI the press conference you addressed yesterday. You said that ‘I am apolitical. We do not do politics’. I have not even heard Sheikh Rashid addressing such a political press conference.” He questioned the DG ISI why he did not speak about the “corrupt government”.

Imran Khan was the target of the press conference, he said and warned the spymaster that he knew a few things and he was silent for the sake of the country and institutions. “I don’t speak as I don’t want to damage my country.”

“I am not an absconder like Nawaz Sharif, who sits silently or goes London and badmouths the army,” he said, “I will not leave this country. My life and death belong to this country.”

The former prime minister reiterated that he wanted to see a Pakistan, which is “free”, for which the country needed a “powerful army”. He warned that a country loses its independence because of a weak army.

“We, Mr DG ISI, when we do criticism, it is constructive criticism that is only for your betterment. We do not want to damage our country. And, I reiterate I can say many things and I can give you a reply. But, I do not want that my country’s institutions get weak.”

Imran said: “I have never done any unconstitutional thing and I want a free and fair election and the people will decide who will rule the country, not Washington, not America, not anyone else.

The PTI chief told party supporters that they would only go to those places where they have been allowed and they would not break any laws. The former ruling party would abide by the Supreme Court orders.

“We will not go Red Zone. Over the past 26 years, we have only followed the law and Constitution. Our protests are peaceful. Families, women, and children are here. “We have always remained peaceful, and will remain peaceful this time too!”

He lamented that the apex court could not safeguard their constitutional right during May 25 protest earlier this year.