Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister, Imran Khan, recently addressed his party’s workers at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore. During his speech, Khan commented on the recent arrest of PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur by the police in Dera Ismail Khan. He claimed that the government had arrested Gandapur to portray the PTI as “slaves.”
Khan urged his supporters to fight against the injustices committed by the government and prepare for the war for freedom. He reminded his followers of the attack on his house last month and asked them to gear up against the wrongs being meted out to his party members. Khan declared that the PTI’s fight in Pakistan is for “haqeeqi azadi (true freedom).”
Khan then took a jibe at the PML-N supremo, Nawaz Sharif, saying that a coward does not become a leader but becomes Nawaz Sharif. He added that the PTI’s struggle is for “haqeeqi azadi,” true freedom, and not to become slaves to any oppressor.
The former prime minister emphasized that a leader is not afraid and that Allah has blessed humans with immense abilities. He also talked about the revolution brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which was never witnessed anywhere in the world. Khan claimed that the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) gave freedom and ensured equality in society by providing justice.
Ever since Khan was ousted from office following a no-confidence motion last April, he has been reiterating that his party has faced severe human rights violations and immense injustice. He has consistently asked for fresh elections to be held to regain power. The PTI has dissolved assemblies in provinces where it was in power to pressurize the federal government into conducting polls.
Amid controversial Supreme Court orders, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a schedule to conduct elections in Punjab on May 14, while the PTI has also filed a plea seeking a date for polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa too.
Khan’s comments on Ali Amin Gandapur’s arrest and his call for a war for freedom reflect the PTI’s growing frustration with the government. The PTI has accused the government of trying to suppress opposition parties and of violating human rights. The PTI’s demands for fresh elections and its dissolution of assemblies in provinces where it was in power are part of its strategy to regain power and bring about true freedom in Pakistan.
