News
November 15 , 2024
Imran Gives ‘Final Call’ for Nationwide Protest on Nov 24
Islamabad: PTI founder Imran Khan has issued a “final call” for a protest in Islamabad on November 24, denouncing what he described as the “stolen mandate”, the “unjust arrests” of people, and the government’s push to pass the 26th constitutional amendment bill last month, it emerged on Wednesday.
Since his arrest in August 2023 on several counts, Imran’s party has been holding protests across the country for his release, and against the alleged “rigging” of the 2024 elections on February 8.
Since the events of May 9 , 2023, PTI leaders have faced arrests and detentions from time to time, mostly for leading protests in the country. A day ago, some top PTI leaders were taken into custody from outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for violating Section 144 but were released shortly afterward after being issued a warning.
Last month, police arrested several PTI leaders and activists across multiple districts of Punjab for holding protests. In September, the party’s top leadership, along with 11 MNAs, were apprehended but released later.
Similarly, his sisters Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, together with a dozen party workers, were arrested for allegedly leading a protest in Islamabad last month. Both were released after obtaining bail from a court.
Speaking to journalists after meeting Imran in Adiala Jail on Wednesday, Aleema said that the final call for protest was for everyone, including PTI ticket holders, members of parliament, and workers and supporters of the party.
“This is the moment when you will have to decide [whether] you want to live under martial law or live with freedom,” she quoted Imran as saying.
“You used your right [to vote] on February 8…. but the next day, the foundation you had laid for democracy was stolen,” she further quoted Imran as saying.
Aleema went on to say that Imran has addressed his call to four categories of people —farmers, lawyers, civil society, and students— who should come out to protest for their rights.
Speaking on the 26th Amendment being enacted as law, she quoted Imran as saying, “All of your rights have been taken away; the Supreme Court has been occupied, and the current conditions are even worse than previous martial laws.”
This call for protest comes after a series of protests by PTI nationwide throughout October.
During the last protest called for Islamabad on October 4, hundreds of PTI activists, including senior leaders, gathered at multiple locations in the capital after defying heavy police blockades and road closures.
Authorities had dug trenches and placed iron nails on a stretch of the Islamabad-Peshawar motorway to prevent protesters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from reaching the capital. Despite these hurdles, PTI workers had managed to reach D-chowk amid heavy rain.
PTI had claimed KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who was part of the protest caravan, was arrested by Rangers from KP House before retracting their claims.
After a mysterious day-long disappearance, he resurfaced in Peshawar as he arrived at the KP Assembly in the evening to address the lawmakers there.
PTI called off its announced D-Chowk protest for October 15 on the eve of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit after assurances of a medical check-up for Imran.
On November 8, 14 people, including eight cops, were injured when clashes erupted between the police and PTI supporters in Quetta.
The clashes occurred after the administration canceled permission for the party to hold a rally at Railway Hockey Ground to demand the release of Imran, citing security threats… - Dawn
The News adds: Aleema Khan has called on the 'youth, students, and social media tigers' to rally behind the November 24 call for protest issued by her brother Imran Khan, founding chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Aleema Khan, conveyed the message on Thursday during an interaction with media persons in Rawalpindi, labelling the upcoming protest as the “final round.”
She stated that Imran Khan considers the protest a constitutional right, calling on students, overseas Pakistanis, and social media activists to prepare for November 24.
“Imran Khan has asked the youth to stand up for their future and resist the urge to leave Pakistan. He believes the younger generation has a role in saving the country,” she said.
Aleema also mentioned that overseas Pakistanis have pledged to hold protests globally on the same day. Imran Khan has reportedly laid out a strategy for the demonstration, insisting that supporters must persevere regardless of government attempts to hinder them.
The PTI leader’s sister added that Imran Khan has urged even "80-year-old aunties" to participate, while also asking Karachi and Quetta residents to rally within their provinces.
She stated that this is the call of the founder of PTI and it will be fully implemented adding that Imran Khan has sent a direct message to everyone, and in this protest, MNAs and MPAs will lead the way.
She expressed concerns about potential government interference, specifically citing Maryam Nawaz’s alleged attempts to prevent the march through "unconstitutional means", but affirmed that protesters would still reach Islamabad even if arrests were made.
Aleema Khan emphasised that PTI lawmakers would lead the protest and that supporters are prepared to persist, regardless of obstacles.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced plans for a sustained protest starting on November 24, with demands to continue until the government responds.
We will return to Islamabad to 'take back our rights': K-P CM Gandapur
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said he has plans to return to Islamabad to “claim our rights,” vowing "peaceful protests" while criticising federal resistance to such demonstrations.
Speaking to media in Peshawar, CM Gandapur stated he has a “robust strategy” for the march but withheld details.
“We are accustomed to their oppressive measures,” CM Gandapur said, referring to previous federal actions to block protests, including the use of rubber bullets and trenches to deter demonstrators…
Courtesy Dawn
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