Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Photo: Archive
ISLAMABAD:
The PTI has decided to organize a major power show in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa later this month after postponing its rally scheduled for April 9 in Rawalpindi.
The decision comes after a meeting between Imran Khan’s lawyer, Advocate Salman Safdar, and the PTI founder in 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 meeting in view of the sensitive US-Iran talks taking place in Islamabad, stressing 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 saying that despite all the oppression, coercion and fascism, Imran Khan canceled his rally for the sake of Pakistan’s reputation.
What could be a greater display of patriotism than this? In the past, whenever a political party faced tough times, it orchestrated scandals like Dawn Leaks and Memogate.
CM Afridi announced that Imran Khan has directed the party to hold a major public rally within 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 large and impactful meeting,” he said.
He added that he would meet the TTAP grand alliance leaders later and finalize the venue and date of the rally within a day or two.
Afridi further revealed that he had received a direct message from Imran Khan, which emphasized that political decisions should be taken through mutual consensus and that consultations should be held with Mahmood Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas on this matter.
Afridi claimed that Imran Khan has been constantly advocating since 2002 that Pakistan should play a proactive role in promoting peace. He stated that the founder’s 2002 peace policy is now being implemented and has received recognition from the international community. He stressed that the country belongs to everyone, it is not the property of the founder of the PTI or any particular party.
On Imran Khan’s health, the Prime Minister revealed that the PTI founder was suffering from a serious eye disease. He wondered why proper treatment is not being carried out at Al-Shifa Hospital and why it cannot be done in the presence of his family. “Imran Khan has every right to have his treatment carried out wherever his sisters wish,” Afridi said.
Regarding issues related to Afghanistan, Afridi said compromise and negotiations could lead to positive results. He reiterated that people who harm Pakistan must be expelled, while Afghan refugees will be repatriated with respect and dignity, in accordance with national policy.
He also complained about the continuous false propaganda against the PTI government and called for criticism to be constructive and aimed at reforms.
