PTI leader and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday said that ex-prime minister Imran Khan would reveal the way forward for his “Haqeeqi Azadi” [true freedom] movement at the party’s rally in Lahore tonight.
Last week, the PTI announced to hold a “historic power show” in Lahore’s Hockey Ground on the eve of Pakistan’s 75th independence day, which will be celebrated tomorrow.
Imran will address the gathering, which will be telecast across the country. At midnight, a fireworks display and flag-hoisting ceremony will also be held.
Talking to media persons at the rally’s venue today, Chaudhry said that the theme of the gathering today was “Haqeeqi Azadi”.
“What is true freedom? It is believing that we won’t bow down in front of anyone except God. This is Imran’s goal and this is the theme of our rally.”
He went on to say that the PTI chairman would reveal the future strategy of the party tonight as the “party has entered the final stages of our movement”.
‘Punjab govt to investigate Sanaullah’
The PTI leader said that the PTI had written a letter to the Punjab government seeking an investigation into the events of the party’s long march to Islamabad within 15 days.
The march on May 25 was preceded by the authorities invoking Section 144, a measure used to curb gatherings. Shipping containers were put in place on major thoroughfares to block their path.
Undeterred by the moves, the marchers, who tried to force through the containers to make their way to Islamabad, were met with tear gas as police tried to disperse them. Police also charged at them with batons.
Talking to reporters, Chaudhry said that the Punjab government had began investigations and was probing PML-N leader Atta Tarar and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah as well.
“Unlike them [the federal government], we haven’t displayed fascism, neither have we picked up people. We are just investigating people and that is our right.”
He said that if Tarar and Sanaullah would hide in Islamabad, “we will have no option but to declare them wanted”, adding that the leaders should not be scared and clarify their position on the matter.
Chaudhry also criticised former Punjab chief minister Hamza Shehbaz for “running to London”. “These are the people who have money laundering cases registered against them, yet they are given relief.
“While the wife of Shahbaz Gill’s driver is suffering. The women of Izhar’s families have been dragged by the police,” he said, highlighting that the moral imbalance in the society was deeply concerning.
The PTI leader also expressed confidence that by Monday, Gill — who was arrested for passing controversial statements against the armed forces — would be granted bail.
Need for fresh elections
Meanwhile, Chaudhry went on challenge PM Shehbaz and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for contesting elections against Imran and proving “who the public loved more”.
He stressed that the incumbent government’s “tactics” against PTI would only push the country towards crisis and send the economy into a nosedive.
“If the PTI starts a street movement, the government won’t last five days,” he asserted. “But we want to go towards elections without any discord.”
He also stated that the party was prepared to talk to the government once it announced a date for the fresh polls. “A debate on the political framework can be started but it will be dependent on them.”