Long march date to be disclosed next week: Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: PTI chief and former prime minister Imran Khan Saturday said the date for the much-awaited long march will be disclosed either on Thursday or Friday.

Addressing a press conference flanked by Senator Azam Swati, Khan warned the coalition government against making attempts to stop the long march, adding that even if he is arrested party workers and supporters will not stay silent.

The Ministry of Interior had filed a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking orders restraining Khan from creating a law-and-order situation in line with the party’s proposed long march to Islamabad. However, the five-member bench of the apex court rejected the request to issue an interim order for stopping the PTI’s planned long march.

Before it approached the top court, the government issued repeated warnings to the PTI chief, with a top official saying that the authorities would multiply their May 25 policy by 10 if Khan announces another long march.

If the PTI holds another long march, then it would be the second time they would be coming to Islamabad. The last march was held on May 25, which ended when Khan abruptly called it off after reaching Islamabad. The government had spent millions to ensure peace and maintain the law and order situation in Islamabad.

The former prime minister went on to say that he doesn’t see any hope for elections, reiterating that he will announce the date for PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’ by the end of next week.

He further maintained that the long march will be peaceful, claiming that the people will “enjoy” and no cases of violence will be reported.

“We will not allow violence in the long march,” Khan said, downplaying speculations that the march will stop if he is put behind bars.

The PTI chief, however, warned that if the coalition government tried to stop the peaceful march then the entire city will be shut down, urging them to decide accordingly. 

Replying to a question regarding Khan taking a U-turn on the long march if dialogue between ruling alliance lawmakers succeeds with the PTI leaders, the PTI chief revealed that there is always back-channel communication going on.

“Political parties are always negotiating through back-channel but there is no result of these negotiations,” he said, renewing his demand for free and fair elections.

It should, however, be noted that government officials have time and again downplayed all such speculations.

PTI chief demands CJP Bandial to summon FIA officials

Decrying the alleged torture of Swati, the former prime minister claimed that the law enforcement agencies entered the ex-federal minister's residence without a warrant.

"Azam Swati was tortured in front of his children. What crime did Azam Swati commit, just that he criticised a person holding a big office?" Khan asked.

The PTI chief asked which country allows authorities to arrest a person based on a critical tweet.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested the Senator on October 13, and he remained in remand till he was granted bail on Friday. Swati was arrested for "controversial tweets".

"The most terrifying thing of all, Azam Swati was handed over to someone else. Who were the people to whom he was handed over?" Khan asked.

The PTI chief demanded Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial summon FIA officials and ask them about Swati's alleged handover.

Khan alleged that the people whom Swati was allegedly handed over to, tortured and stripped him naked. "Shahbaz Gill was also handed over to someone and tortured."

"The question is who are these people for whom there is no law?"