Imran Khan announced on Saturday that his party will leave all assemblies instead of marching on Islamabad. He was addressing the ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’ in Rawalpindi.

“There is no point in staying in the system when the country is being ruined,” Imran Khan said as he made the announcement. He also said that if he did decide to march on Islamabad, no amount of law enforcement would be able to stop the crowds that would turn up.

Imran announced that party consultations will begin soon to determine the further strategy of leaving assemblies.

He said that the outpour of anger in the country after his government was removed could have turned Pakistan into Sri Lanka. “But,” said Khan, “we have always kept our protest within the limits of the constitution.”

Sticking to the narrative

Imran Khan also repeated claims that his government was removed through a foreign conspiracy. He cited the cipher as evidence of the foreign conspiracy again as well.

The PTI chief also said that a goverment of ‘crooks’ had been imposed by people who had the power to stop the conspiracy but did nothing. He said that for those with ‘real power’ in the country, corruption is not an issue.

He added that Pakistan’s econonmy was growing at a record rate when his government was removed.

A second life

In his first attendance at a political rally since getting injured in an assasination attempt, Imran Khan told supporters that God has given him a second life.

Imran Khan said bullets shot past him as soon as he fell down. “I thanked God immediately for saving my life,” he said.

Imran Khan visibly seemed in pain as he got to the stage while supporting himself on a walker. On stage he sat behind a bullet proof glass as he spoke.

This was the first time Imran Khan addressed a rally in-person since being injured in an assasination attempt on November 3 in Wazirabad. After being shifted to SKMH in Lahore, doctors revelad that four bullet fragments had pierced his right leg.

“It will take three months for me to get fully fit,” Imran Khan told the long march.

Sheikh Rasheed said on Saturday that the government should be removed through constitutional means and that his fight is only against ‘corrupt’ politicians. He was addressing PTI’s protest in Rawalpindi.

“The army is ours and the judiciary is ours,” Rasheed said. He also added that the country is angry because ‘thieves’ were imposed on it.

PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’ is entering its third phase today, with Imran Khan expected to reach the rally soon. In his first in-person appearance at a political rally since the assasination attempt, he is expected to make an important address.

Hangu: PTI leader Arif Orakzai kicked a reporter when asked about the number of attendees in the long march procession.

The reporter asked Orakzai that despite the large number of vehicles, there seemed to be very few protestors present. At this the PTI leader flew into a rage, kicking at the reporter and even snatching his phone.

The reporter has approached police to file a complaint for the incident,local journalist bodies have also condemned the incident.

According to reports, PTI Hangu is already divided into factions, with the the party’s representatives in the national and provincial assemblies trying to organise separate rallies to participate in the long march.

PTI’s long march is entering its next phase today (Saturday) in Rawalpindi. Processions from all over Pakistan are marching towards the garrison city under their local leadership.

Chairman Imran Khan will attend the rally in person, his first participation in the march since beiing injured in an assassination attempt.

ISLAMABAD: PTI chief Imran Khan, who survived an apparent assassination attempt earlier this month, should wear a bulletproof jacked, the police advised on Saturday.

“The PTI should make the stage and rostrum bulletproof,” the police said in a statement as Imran would make his first public appearance after getting discharged from the hospital. The former premier has been addressing the workers via video link address since his surgery.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah advised the PTI to postpone the long march in view of the threats to his life. Intelligence agencies have issued a red alert about the rally and informed the government that any terrorist or terrorist group can take advantage of the situation, Sanaullah had warned.

The police advised Imran not to get out of the vehicle in any public place and added that the former ruling party should keep their movements secret. “The route should not be used other than the proposed vehicle/pedestrian route.”

The statement added that the parking of VIP vehicles should be separate and reserved. “The list of participants on stage will be provided to the management in advance,” it said, adding that the Rawalpindi administration has already asked the PTI to submit it under the 56 conditions that the party complied to follow for today’s rally.

“Apart from the names included in the list, no one will be able to go on the stage while movement on the stage will also be restricted.”

Banning the entry of any armed private guard/gunmen into the march, the police said that Imran should not meet the people at any place. “All participants will be able to enter only after thorough checking from the proposed venue.”

It has banned the use of drone cameras and fireworks. “A separate and appropriate place should be allocated for women and the workers will not be allowed to climb on the roof of any building.”

ISLAMABAD: The centre stage of the PTI was being set up at the sixth road flyover in Rawalpindi after the police stopped the work near Faizabad and shifted it to Murree road, Rehmanabad.

It merits here to mention that the sixth road is a flyover, which is actually Murree road, but the flyover is called the sixth road flyover. And, Rehmanabad is on its left side. Two to three terms are used for it, however, it is the same thing.

But, Adviser to the Punjab CM on Interior Omar Sarfraz Cheema refuted reports of the stage shifted to a new location. Sources told Aaj News that both sides have agreed to the new location of the stage as labourers were working to set up it at the above mentioned location.

“The arrangements for the PTI rally in Rawalpindi are complete; there is no obstruction from the administration. Therefore, there is no truth in the news of stopping the preparation of the stage,” Cheema said in a statement.

Around 3,000 to 4,000 people were living in the ‘tent city’, set up by the PTI, at the Iqbal Park, according to estimates. Such a number in addition to the influx of PTI supporters from other parts of the country has left people confused as to whether it’s a public gathering or a sit-in.

The PTI has agreed to the 56 conditions—including a ban on anti-state slogans and speech against constitutional offices/armed forces/judiciary – set by the Rawalpindi administration for organizing the rally.

It has warned of action in case of violation of rules.

https://www.aajenglish.tv/live/pti-rawalpindi-protest-nov-26

PTI chief Imran Khan would head to Rawalpindi today (Saturday) for the Rehmanabad rally in which he has claimed to give “give surprise to everyone”.

“My life is in danger and despite being injured I am going to Rawalpindi for the nation, my nation will come to Pindi for me,” he was quoted as saying in a tweet by the PTI. This would be Imran’s first public appearance at a rally in the garrison city after surviving an apparent assassination attempt during Azadi March in Wazirabad earlier this month.

After getting discharged from the hospital, the former prime minister had been addressing party workers via video link.

Earlier this week, Imran claimed that the Pakistan Democratic Movement government had approached the former ruling party for talks. “I am all set to give a surprise to everyone on November 26,” he had said.

The snap elections demand has been the bone of contention between the PTI and the coalition government as Imran has made it a pre-requisite for any talks with the PDM—a demand which the government has denied to accept.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah urged Imran to postpone the long march in view of “threats” to his life. He also advised him to return to Parliament for the betterment of the economy and political stability.

PTI’s Lahore cavalcade changes route

The cavalcade of PTI had to make an alternate route for their ‘Azadi March’ after the motorway towards Islamabad was closed by the highway police due to fog on Friday night.

It would now arrive in Rawalpindi through Sagian Pull, GT Road, party leader Yasmin Rashid said in a statement. Hammad Azhar would lead the party procession from Gujranwala and Musarrat Cheema from Saddar Gol Chakar in Lahore.

“The motorway, M2, has been closed from Lahore to Sheikhupura due to heavy fog while the Lahore Sialkot Motorway has been closed from Muridke to Sambaryal,” a spokesperson of the motorway police said in an official handout.

It asked the road users to follow these guidelines:

• Use front and rear fog lights
• Avoid unnecessary travel
• Avoid speeding
• Keep a proper distance from the next vehicle
• Contact helpline 130 for information and assistance

The Islamabad police also issued the traffic update on Twitter.

The Pakistan Tehreeek-i-Insaf (PTI) is holding one of its most important protests in Rawalpindi today (Saturday). It can either mark the end of PTI’s road show it launched on October 28 – and dubbed as “long march” — or the beginning of a new protest campaign to press for snap elections. People would know when Imran Khan announces his next move from the stage today afternoon.

Thousands of people are expected to pour into Rawalpindi from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and different cities of Punjab province.

The Faizabad intersection on the Muree Road between Rawalpindi and Islamabad has been sealed off, but other roads remain open.

The following points will give you a complete picture.

• PTI holds a protest at Rehmanabad on the Murree Road. The venue was moved away from Faizabad which borders Islamabad.

• Imran Khan’s helicopter will land at Pir Maher Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, which is located on the Muree Road only one kilometer from the protest venue. The PTI wanted to land the helicopter at the Parade Ground in Islamabad but the federal government did not allow it.

• Several PTI supporters traveling from Lahore and other nearby cities to Rawalpindi faced delays Saturday morning when fog became a roadblock for rallies.

• Supporters coming from KP province have been told to converge at Peshawar Toll Plaza. They will leave for Rawalpindi in a big rally. Former KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak will be leading the caravan. After leaving Peshawar, the rally will see more people joining it at Mardan, Nowshera, and other cities.

• The rallies from other cities are schedule to enter Rawalpindi by noon, but it may take them a little longer. Imran Khan plans to address the protest before sunset due to security threats.