Peshawar Jalsa: Imran Khan says real war of independence has just begun

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on Wednesday said that his ouster from power was a foreign conspiracy and that he will fight for “real freedom” of country and its people from now onwards, ARY News reported.

This is the first mass contact campaign from Peshawar after the ouster of  Imran Khan as prime minister.

“Whenever a prime minister was removed in the past, Pakistanis used to distribute sweets. But I am thankful to Allah that when I was removed and you all protested, attended this rally and gave me such respect,” said Imran Khan.

He was of the view that during his 25 years of struggle, he never provoked his followers against institutions but now he wants answers as to why a court was opened midnight minutes before his ouster on April 9.

“What crime did I commit that you opened the court’s doors at 12 AM,” asked Imran Khan.

The PTI chief said that he and his party’s workers and supporters will never accept this “imported government” and will fight against it at every forum.

“We want elections as soon as possible and they (the coalition government) know that if they go among people and ask for votes, they are finished,” said Imran Khan.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s speech

Senior vice-chairman of PTI and former prime minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said PM Shehbaz Sharif was congratulated by his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi first.

He said Nawaz Sharif invited the killers of Kashmiris to Pakistan who attended their family marriage in Lahore without a visa.

Qureshi said all the corrupts have united against Imran Khan. Criticising MQM-P, he said that Muttahida leaders lashed out at PPP’s Sindh government for depriving the rights of Urban areas of the province for three and half years and later on joined them in the wee hours.

On ‘threatening letter’, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial should form a commission to unveil the facts.

Pervaiz Khattak’s speech

Former defence minister Pervaiz Khattak said the ‘foreign conspiracy’ was hatched against Imran Khan from the day when he said “absolutely not” to the US.

He alleged that opposition leaders kept on meeting with the US officials from January. Khattak also asked Fazlur Rehman how he joined the US conspiracy.

We will not bow down before the US, Khattak said and added that they will fight.

The PTI stalwart also said that they will bring back Imran Khan into power again with the help of the masses.

Qasim Suri’s speech

PTI leader Qasim Suri in his address said that an ‘international conspiracy’ was hatched against our brave leader Imran Khan who raised the Islamophobia issue and fought Pakistan’s case at every forum.

He said he personally saw the ‘threatening letter’ which clearly stated to remove Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion.

He thanked the masses for their support for the former prime minister and PTI.

Sheikh Rasheed’s speech

Former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed addressing the crowd said that international powers are against Imran Khan because he wants an independent foreign policy. He asked the nation to support and stand firmly united with the PTI chairman.

He also alleged that the conspirators are now planning to impeach President Arif Alvi, but their move will be foiled.

Rasheed also said those who were criticising state institutions in past have come into power.

The former interior minister also said that he will meet MQM-P leaders during the PTI’s public rally in Karachi.

Read more: PTI seeks permission for Lahore public gathering

‘We want Imran Khan back as PM’

The charged women workers of the PTI said they want to see Imran Khan as prime minister again and added that in 2018 they choose Imran Khan and in 2023 they will do the same again.

They also criticised the opposition for becoming part of the alleged ‘foreign conspiracy. They also chanted slogans of ‘crime minister’.

Lootas in the gathering

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders were holding ‘lootas’ in their hands to record their protest, while the lootas were also seen flying in the air with the drone cameras.

The PTI workers said that MNAs sold their conscience for money, which resulted in the end of the PTI government. They said it’s a real shame how people can betray their party.

Imran Khan’s ouster as PM

The PTI chairman was ousted as the prime minister after the joint opposition’s no-confidence motion against him succeeded on March 8.

Khan had alleged that Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the Department of State was involved in the ‘foreign conspiracy’ to topple his government.

He said the US national security adviser telephoned his Pakistani counterpart and “categorically asked us not to proceed with the Russia tour” Khan had said in February.