Imran's Plan C: Paralyse major cities, paralyse Pakistan
Updated 3 minutes ago
**ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan threw down yet another gauntlet for the PML-N led government on Sunday, announcing the party's plan to paralyse major cities – and eventually "shut down" the entire country by December 16.
Addressing a crowd of thousands assembled at D-Chowk, Imran said: "On Thursday (December 4), I will go to Lahore and shut it down. On December 8 I will shut down Faisalabad; on December 12 I will go to Karachi and shut it down. By December 16 I will close down all of Pakistan."
"I know people of Lahore are ready... I know all of Faisalabad is ready... and Karachi I know they are waiting for me," he said, adding "Plan D will be revealed on Thursday.
"I am not saying all this to become the prime minister — which prime minister has ever been given the kind of respect that you all give me? I want to thank you all."
He reiterated his demand for a fair probe into the 2013 election. "We still have no word on the investigation of rigging," Imran said. "We want justice. We want an investigation of 2013 elections and a result within 4 to 6 weeks under supervision of the Supreme Court. "
"The ball is in your court, Nawaz Sharif — do your talks, do your investigations and solve the issue. We will close Pakistan down when December 16 comes, and what I do after that you will not be able to bear that."
“It has been 109 days and Naya Pakistan is waking up every day. We can all see it,” Imran said.
Criticising the government and Pakistan Peoples Party, Imran said they colluded to rig the 2013 election.
"I will tell you today what I'm about to do in the near future so that you all can understand why we are taking this next step," he said.
Referring to the premier's criticism of Imran Khan's language towards the government earlier this week, Imran said, "People here can't eat two meals a day, and Nawaz Sharif wants to lecture me on how to use proper language?"
"I am a Pakistani who can see my country going down, you [Nawaz] and Zardari both in the 2013 election fixed the match. Zardari says there was rigging in Punjab; Nawaz says [there was] rigging in Sindh, Fazlur Rehman also says there was rigging... Balochistan parties say there was rigging," he said.
"I want to ask all lawyers and educated people — if all parties are saying there was rigging then why is only PTI and Imran Khan asking for an investigation this rigging?"
“Mian sahib, if a country progresses just based on new roads, then make Malik Riaz the prime minister — a country progresses when money is spent on the citizens for their betterment,” he said, referring to the prime minister’s announcement earlier this week of the government’s plans for improved infrastuructue and roads across the country.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi speaks to the crowd
Addressing the gathering, PTI Vice-President Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the time for speeches is over.
“Today we will not make decisions – you will make all the decisions. Do you have the courage to implement Imran Khan’s next big plan?” he asked.
“Should we quietly go home? If you don’t want to go back make a decision – are you ready for the next step?”
A mammoth crowd
 |
A police official said that nearly 100,000 people have gathered at Parade Avenue. Supporters have been pouring into the capital from all over the country to attend the PTI rally today, making it one of the largest turn-outs in Islamabad since the start of the sit-in in August.
25-year-old Mohsin Jam from Rahim Yar Khan said he reached Islamabad three days ahead of the rally day and spent his nights at camps in D-chowk.
“I have completed my BSc but have no job for the last four years,” he said. “If Imran Khan can sit here for our rights for the last 100 days then I think it is our duty to participate in this public gathering.”
Participants at the rally say Parade Avenue is full of PTI workers sitting atop containers set up by the government. Nearly 80 per cent of the crowd is between 18 to 40 year olds.
Sheikh Rasheed takes the podium
Chief of Awami Muslim league Sheikh Rasheed on Sunday spoke ahead of the PTI Chairman, and reiterated the anti-government protesters’ demand that the government must go.
“When the time comes, Nawaz falls to his knees… when the time is up, he goes to Havelian,” Rasheed says, referring to the premier’s recent visit to Abbottabad where he lambasted the PTI.
“Imran Khan will finish the governance of tyranny,” Rasheed said, adding that if cases can be registered against a former army chief and prime minister, then there is basis to register a case against Nawaz Sharif for “changing the votes of the people”.
“I wanted to make a long speech but I am aware that every household is awaiting Imran’s speech,” Rasheed said.
Rasheed condemned the killing JUI-F leader Khalid Soomro, however, he added that JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman's attitude has ruined his party's politics.
Earlier today...
Security beefed up in capital
Radio Pakistan reports that the government has deployed thousands of security personnel for the PTI rally.
The report says that the government has deployed 15,000 security personnel to ensure security of the PTI public meeting and Red Zone in Islamabad.
According to spokesman of the Interior Ministry, the security forces including FC, Rangers and police, have been put in place in four cordons. Special security arrangements have also been made for the public and private buildings in the area. The spokesman said containers have not been placed in the city, except the venue of the public meeting.
Zardari hits out at Imran Khan
Former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, while speaking to party workers at Bilawal House on foundation day on Sunday, said, “The ‘captain’ should go ahead and bowl; we are in no rush, when the pitch is fixed we will drop the wickets as well.”
Referring to military ruler General Ayub Khan’s famed speech in 1965, Zardari warned against the emergence of “yet another leader who begins a speech with ‘mere azeez hum watano’."
He added that the “conspiracy” being hatched over the last four months will not derail democracy.
Hamza Ali Abbasi speaks out
Actor and PTI supporter Hamza Ali Abbasi was at the venue today, lauding PTI Chairman Imran Khan's "flexibility" in negotiations with the government.
Talking about the "rigged elections", Hamza said, "unfortunately, Khan has to take steps that stops the government's work."
Quiz: How well do you know Imran Khan?
Mobile app users: please visit the website to take the quiz
Inside the protest
 |
Activists gather during the anti-government rally in front of the Parliament in Islamabad - AFP Photo
|
 |
Islamabad police personnel gather during PTI's rally
|
 |
The PTI stage, early in the day
|
Protesters arriving from far and wide faced some difficulty in reaching the venue due to the ongoing Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) countrywide strike, and some reported resistance by security forces. However, DawnNews reported that the capital's roads were by-and-large open and accessible. Islamabad police and FC personnel have been stationed near the Parliament house for security purposes, keeping in mind the incidents that occurred during PTI's rally in August.
 |
Imran Khan reaches the stage, late afternoon
|
Also read: PTI processions face JUI-F’s roadblocks
The PTI rally today is seen as a critical next-step for the party, which has lost political mileage and steam since the massive anti-government movement was launched in August.
Imran during a rally on Saturday, told his supporters that 'Plan C' would be announced at the November 30 rally, which would make it difficult for the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) government to continue.
Delivering his speech from atop his container on D-Chowk, Khan said:
- ‘Plan A’ was the sit-in outside parliament
- 'Plan B’ was the series of countrywide rallies
- 'Plan C' would be presented on November 30
More on this: Imran to unveil ‘plan C’ today
Speaking on a private TV channel, Imran also said a 'Plan D' was in place. The PTI Chairman hinted that 'Plan D' would hurt the federal government. At the same time, Imran said, "We are ready for talks with the government".
He also said that protests would not end until the Supreme Court's investigation into election rigging reaches a conclusion.
 |
People gather at the protest site, late afternoon
|
PTI supporters egged in Gujranwala
Unidentified young men threw eggs and tomatoes at Gujranwala PTI supporters who are en route to the capital for Imran Khan’s rally.
Infuriated party workers said two young men lobbed eggs and tomatoes at their cars and motorbikes as a convoy was headed to Islamabad. The PTI workers added that the two young men had fled the scene and that a search is underway.
No comments:
Post a Comment