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