Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf sought PML-Q’s support for his call to shut down Islamabad on November 2. Shah Mehmood Qureshi had a meeting with Chaudhry Pervez Ilahi, and the latter vowed to support PTI in its efforts to force Nawaz Sharif to resign or present himself for accountability. Sheikh Rashid of Pakistan Awami Muslim League has already committed to participate in the sit-in. PML-N has formed a committee comprising Pervez Rashid, Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Mir Hasil Bizenjo to approach opposition political parties for their support to the government. The PPP is sitting on the sidelines, but criticizes PML-N as well as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. PPP leaders agree with Imran Khan’s stance on accountability of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, but would not endorse Imran Khan’s lockdown of Islamabad.
The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday issued notices to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz, Capt. (R) Safdar, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, director general Federal Investigation Agency, chairman Federal Board of Revenue, and the attorney general in the Panamagate case. A three-judge SC bench, consisting of Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, had taken up the petitions seeking disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Meanwhile, the SC has fixed 1st November for the hearing. Following the hearing, PTI chief Imran Khan said the court hearing was the first step in the accountability process. He requested the SC for speedy trial of the case. PML-N said when the SC has issued notices there is no justification for the protest.
Unmoved by criticism over his plans to shut down federal capital as part of his accountability movement, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is firm on his 2nd November plan, and warned the government of dire consequences if it resorted to ‘unfair’ means to disrupt his sit-in. Imran Khan said the sit-in would continue until the prime minister resigns or presents himself for accountability. When he announced the date from 31ste October to November 2, he had stated: “We are ready for the worst possible scenario. I am ready to go to jail but is the government ready to face the consequences of such a move,” Imran questioned, while assuring that the protest would be completely peaceful. Imran Khan was critical of the PPP for its leaders’ double speak.
Last week, he said: “During the last six months, the PTI tried to take them (opposition) along, but they always dodged us. The PTI has reached a conclusion that other opposition parties are not interested to hold the corrupt accountable.” He added that Nawaz and Zardari were on same page over Panamagate issue. Imran Khan called upon the activists of other opposition parties, labourers, farmers, unemployed youth, and every single Pakistani to join hands with the PTI on November 2, claiming that it would be a now or never situation in Pakistani politics. He said residents of Islamabad would suffer due to lockdown of the city, but they should sacrifice a little to save their future generations from the slavery of corrupt rulers.
