Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
The PTI has decided to organize a major show of power in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa later this month after postponing its planned April 9 rally in Rawalpindi.
The decision follows a meeting between Imran Khan’s lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, and the PTI founder in Adiala jail on April 8, the first substantive interaction in nearly three months.
During the session, Imran Khan directed the party to postpone the Rawalpindi rally in view of the sensitive US-Iran talks taking place in Islamabad and stressed the need to support Pakistan’s diplomatic peace efforts.
While addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Thursday, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa CM Sohail Afridi praised Imran Khan’s decision and said despite all oppression, coercion and fascism, Imran Khan canceled his meeting for the sake of Pakistan’s reputation.
What could be a greater display of patriotism than this? In the past, when a political party faced tough times, they orchestrated scandals like Dawn Leaks and Memogate.
CM Afridi announced that Imran Khan has directed the party to hold a big public meeting within the next ten days in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Insha’Allah, all leaders and workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will ensure the implementation of this directive and organize a large and impactful gathering,” he said.
He added that he would meet the grand alliance’s TTAP leadership later and finalize the location and date of the rally within a day or two.
Afridi further revealed that he had received a direct message from Imran Khan who stressed that political decisions should be taken through mutual consensus and consultations should be held with Mahmood Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas on this matter.
Afridi stated that since 2002, Imran Khan has consistently advocated for Pakistan to play a proactive role in promoting peace. He claimed that the founder’s long-standing peace policy from 2002 is now being implemented and has received appreciation from the international community. He emphasized that the land belongs to everyone, it is not the property of the founder of PTI or any single party.
Regarding Imran Khan’s health, the chief minister revealed that the PTI founder was suffering from a serious eye ailment. He questioned why proper treatment is not carried out at Al-Shifa Hospital and why it cannot take place in the presence of his family. “Imran Khan has every right to have his treatment done wherever his sisters want,” Afridi said.
On Afghanistan-related issues, Afridi said engagement and negotiations could lead to positive results. He reiterated that persons harming Pakistan must be removed while Afghan refugees would be repatriated with respect and dignity in accordance with national policy.
He also complained about persistent false propaganda against the PTI government and called for the criticism to be constructive and aimed at reforms.
