In the latest speech during his march, Imran Khan stated that his march was not for political or personal gain, but to gain freedom and make sure all decisions are made in Pakistan and not London or Washington.
Friday’s statement by Imran Khan was a declaration that he would remain silent as he doesn’t want to “damage” Pakistan and its institutions. This comes a day after General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the ISI chief, said that Khan made a “lucrative proposal” to the Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for his support during March’s political turmoil.
After launching his protest march towards Islamabad, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief stated that he was not addressing his party supporters at Lahore’s Liberty Chowk.
Khan said while standing on top of a container: “My only goal is to liberate my nation and make Pakistan a free country.”
Khan dismissed the claims of ISI chief Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmad Anjum in a rare press conference. He said it was one-sided, he only “talked” about Iman Khan and never spoke against the “thieves” in the government.
“DG ISI, pay attention, the things that I know, I’m staying silent for my institutions, and the country. The crowd cheered, and the PTI chief stated that he didn’t wish to harm my country.
“Our criticism is constructive and for your improvement. He said that he could say more, but would not divulge as it would hurt the institution.
On Thursday, Lt Gen Anjum stated that Army chief Gen Bajwa received a “lucrative proposal” from the former government amid the political turmoil of March. After a three-year extension, Gen. Bajwa will retire next month.
As the country grappled with multiple versions of the murder of journalist Arshad Shariff in Kenya and indirect accusations against the armed forces, the spy chief held an unprecedented press conference. Sharif was killed at a checkpoint in Nairobi an hour away on Sunday night. This caused a furious reaction within the country.
Later, the Kenyan police claimed it was a case involving “mistaken identities” after a search for similar cars in an abduction case involving children.
Khan addressed his supporters and said that he was not a “runaway” who would sit silently here or criticize London’s military.
“I will not leave this country. The PTI chief added, “I will live and die here.”
He said, “If the facilitators and handlers of the thieves in this imported government believe they (government) should accept us then listen, this country will make every sacrifice, but will never admit these thieves.”
Khan also said that the march would be peaceful. “Our march will follow the law. We will not break any rules. He stated that we will not go into the Red Zone (high security), and will only enter areas designated by the Supreme Court to protest.
He also claimed that the Supreme Court did not protect his supporters’ constitutional rights during the May 25 protest, but he hoped that “this will be the time our rights are protected”.
Khan, 70, has plans to travel to Islamabad on November 4 and has applied for formal permission from the government to permit his party to hold protest rallies. His party calls the protest a “Haqiqi Ziadi March”, or a demonstration for the actual freedom of the country.
It is unclear if he will return to the rally afterward or transform it into an occupation on the lines of his 2014 sit-in, which was held in front of the Parliament Building for 126 days.
The march was rejected by the government. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that the nation refused to submit to a “foreign-funded instigator” and rejected the “bloody March”.
Rana Sanaullah, Interior Minister, stated that Khan attempted to “threaten the government” and institutions to “get an election date”, but was unsuccessful.
According to the minister, after all of PTI’s failed tactics, he had resorted now to a long march.
“He gave many speeches and used the term ‘neutral’. Sanaullah stated that after all of this was unsuccessful, he could not help but try another option
