Imran Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), announced on Sunday that the party would hold a power show at the Minar-i-Pakistan on March 22.
He added that it would serve as a “referendum” on the state of the country. According to him, people have let go of their fears and are no longer afraid of anyone using fascist tactics. Now, on Wednesday, we will perform the Minar-i-Pakistan. It will be a referendum on where the general public stands, and I want the entire nation to see it. Speaking to the nation via video link, he declared, “Everyone will know where the nation stands, and where the cabal of crooks and their handlers stand.
“I wanted to speak to you all last night but I couldn’t,” Imran began his speech. I should not have because I was furious. And one should refrain from speaking out of anger. He claimed that everyone in the country knew he always followed the law and questioned what exactly his crime was. He claimed that 96 cases had already been filed against him. “I have more cases filed against me every time I leave the house. Who is performing this? The people filing cases against me are the criminals who did this to the nation. He alleged that the coalition government was behind the attempt on his life in Wazirabad, adding that they had the backing of “handlers”.
Giving a rundown of the past couple of weeks, Imran said that the elections in Punjab were announced for April 30, following which the PTI decided to initiate its election campaign by holding a rally in Lahore on March 8.
“On the night of March 7, it was decided with the police how the rally would proceed and they approved it. We got permission. The next day, as we are about to start, everyone starts saying that police contingents are here and placing containers.”
He said that as police appeared clad in riot control gear, it was revealed that Section 144 had been imposed in Lahore. “When elections have been announced, how can Section 144 be imposed? Has this happened before in Pakistan’s history?”
He said that when the rally started moving towards Zaman Park, police used water cannons and tear gas against PTI workers. Subsequently, he decided to cancel the rally by 5pm because “I knew that they are trying to cause the situation deteriorate”.
Imran further said that he asked for his hearing to be shifted from an Islamabad court due to security concerns. “F-8 kachery is a death trap,” he said, adding that arrest warrants were issued for him for this reason.
He said that a huge “army” arrived at his Lahore residence over warrants issued by a magistrate. “There were constant attacks here at my home. Has this ever happened before in the history of Pakistan?”
He asked that if he just had to mark his attendance in a court in Islamabad, why was his home being attacked from three sides. “Rangers were arriving in armoured vehicles, coming in after jumping over walls like some commando action is taking place.”
Imran said that he was ready to hand himself over to the police but he was stopped from doing so by his party workers who feared harm would befall the party chief.
“Yesterday, when I left my house, I said my goodbyes to my wife. I knew that I would either be arrested or killed. With that thought in mind, I left my home.”
He said that when he reached the toll plaza, police had closed down the motorway. “Only one lane was open. They had in mind that once my car leaves, they will close it behind me so that rest of the cars cannot follow […] the whole of Islamabad was closed down as if for a major criminal.”
He alleged that the government intended to either “murder” him or take him into custody and then shift him to Balochistan.
The PTI chief said police tear gassed workers that were walking alongside his car as they “wanted a reaction”. He said that once his car reached the judicial complex, police again tear gassed workers. “I didn’t want to leave or else they would have claimed I fled.”
He said that when he was at the gate, police also started beating the workers surrounding the car. “They were waiting for me to step out of the car and then kill me.”
Talking about the police operation at Zaman Park, Imran said officials broke down the gate and his walls while only his wife, Bushra Bibi, and a select few servants were present.
“I want to ask everyone, police, army officers, the judges of this country and the people [about] the respect of chaddor and char dewari in Islam.”
He said that officials knew that Bushra Bibi, a woman who was not involved in politics, was home alone. “To do this at someone’s home, tell me what you would have felt. I am asking my army officers. What would you have felt?” he asked, posing the same question to police officials.
Imran alleged that officials carrying out the operation “looted” his home. “Is the police supposed to loot homes? They looted whatever they found. Do you not have any shame?” he asked as he also targeted Punjab Inspector General Usman Anwar.
He said that the PTI would approach the courts against every single officer that entered Zaman Park. He further said that he would initiate contempt proceedings in the LHC.
The PTI chief also said that the party would approach the courts against Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the Punjab police.
