ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: The PTI leadership has strongly condemned the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan, declared a nationwide strike for Wednesday (today), and urged the nation to take to the streets to oppose the “rising fascism,” warning supporters that a “make or break moment” is approaching.
The senior leadership, however, announced that the schedule of public meetings across the country, which Mr Khan approved days before his arrest, would remain unchanged.
PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi convened a ’emergency committee’ meeting hours after the arrest, which included Senators Saifullah Khan, Azam Swati, and Ejaz Chaudhry, as well as PTI senior leaders Murad Saeed, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, and Hassan Niazi, to review the situation and announce a comprehensive plan of action.
In addition, PTI Central Secretary General Asad Umar stated that Mr Qureshi-led seven-member committee formed by Mr Khan would announce the party’s plan of action after Pakistan’s most powerful political leader was arrested. “The entire world is seeing that there is no law left in the country,” he said. Meanwhile, the vice chairman urged people to support Mr Khan, who was “abducted” from the court grounds in a “false and fabricated” case.
‘Pre-planned assault’
Mr Qureshi told reporters at Karachi airport before boarding a flight to Islamabad that the arrest was related to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to London, accusing the government of a “pre-planned attack” on the ex-premier and threatening a strong protest against the “illegal move.”
Mr Qureshi denied reports of violence during the PTI’s street protests, claiming that the government had invited public wrath. “The people are protesting on their own,” he replied to a question. “Pakistanis from all over the country took to the streets to protest Imran Khan’s arrest.” They are peaceful and only want the safety of their beloved leader.”
And it didn’t happen overnight, he said, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had extended his stay in London because he was well aware of Imran Khan’s arrest plan. “The arrest of Imran Khan is somehow connected with London [visit of Shehbaz Sharif],” the vice chairman said, adding that Mr Khan announced “he’s ready for arrest” in a video statement before his appearance in court.
‘Rangers attacked IHC and kidnapped Imran.’
According to PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry, the former prime minister was “abducted” from the courtroom where “scores of lawyers and ordinary people were tortured.” He urged people to leave their homes because “IHC had been attacked.”
In addition, PTI senior vice president Shireen Mazari claimed that Rangers personnel attacked the court as if they were invading an occupied territory, and that lawyers and IHC staff were thrashed.
‘Life in danger’
Farrukh Habib, PTI Central Secretary Information, said Mr Khan had sacrificed everything for the people’s “true freedom,” and it was now the nation’s turn to take to the streets in support of his early release.
He also stated that it was a real test for IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq because Mr Khan was on his way to appear in his court when he was ‘abducted’ from the premises. He was concerned for Mr Khan’s safety.
Mr Habib stated that the Abdul Qadir University was a learning institution and that there was no mention of Imran Khan or Bushra Bibi.
PTI senior leader Murad Saeed urged the people to bring the country’s machinery to a halt because the Muslim ummah’s leader had been ‘detained and tortured’.
Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, a PTI ally, also declared its full support for the anti-government protests against Mr Khan’s arrest.
Protest outside Nawaz’s flat in London
In London, supporters gathered outside PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif’s Park Lane residence, Avenfield House.
On Tuesday evening, hundreds of PTI supporters in the UK poured into Dunraven Street, which leads to the gated apartment complex where Mr Sharif and members of his family live, and chanted anti-Nawaz slogans.
