PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan dismissed rumors of a deal with the establishment to call off a sit-in in Islamabad on Friday, telling ARY NEWS that he chose to avoid imminent bloodshed and greater hatred in the country.
Imran Khan, speaking at a news conference alongside Chief Minister KP Mahmood Khan, reiterated his threat to return to Islamabad in six days if his demand for a new election date is not met.
“I know people and PTI activists are disappointed over calling off the sit-in but I had to decide after I realized where the situation is being dragged,” he said and added that he could have staged a sit-in in Islamabad if he had no stakes in the country and had foreign assets.
On the night before the long march, Imran Khan indicated that his supporters were prepared to fight back against the police, prompting him to call off the march since it would have increased pro sentiments.
No one should believe that he has embraced the imported government, he added. “I consider it a Jihad and would declare the date to visit Islamabad once more if an election date is not set,” Khan said, adding that he will come out with preparations this time.
Imran Khan went on to say that he has written a letter to Pakistan’s Chief Justice, requesting that they be allowed to use their constitutional right to protest. “In six days, it will be obvious if the Supreme Court will protect our fundamental right or not,” he stated.
The PTI chairman further announced Rs10 million each for the families of the two PTI activists who died during the party’s long march towards Islamabad and said that they died for the great cause of seeking real independence for the nation.
