Imran Khan says fight for real freedom in 'final phase', announces country-wide rallies

LAHORE: PTI chairperson Imran Khan claimed on Saturday that his fight for "real freedom" has entered its "final phase" and shared his plan of holding country-wide anti-government rallies.

The former prime minister addressed a rally at the National Hockey Stadium, where the party celebrated the 75 years of Pakistan's independence — marked with fireworks and traditional songs.

In his address, the PTI chairman said that he has decided to "go to the people", starting from Rawalpindi, followed by Karachi, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Attock, Abbottabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Jhelum, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Quetta.

"I am coming out and to the people as the fight for real independence has entered its decisive phase [...] my nation, be ready," the PTI chairman told the people.

New 'Tiger Force'

Khan also announced the formation of a new "Tiger Force", claiming that it will work for "independence" as the people did before the partition.

"I am telling my nation, be ready, you have to go door-to-door and inform the people of my message about independence. Tell them that they should not be afraid of anything."

Khan claimed that the government would try to frighten the PTI supporters, but he told them that if their "captain" is not afraid of anything, then neither should they be.

The PTI chairman, when he was in power, had established a "Tiger Force" to keep a check on the hoarding of edible goods and other items during the coronavirus pandemic, when strict lockdowns were in place.

'Not anti-America'

Reiterating that he only wants to look after the country's interests, Khan said that he is not "anti-America" and wishes to have a friendly relationship with the United States.

"I know America and the United Kingdom better than most of the Pakistanis [...] I know their psychology; if you beg them, they will use you," the ex-premier said.

The PTI chairman added that he has never bowed before anyone and neither will he bow down in the future.

Khan — who was ousted from the prime minister's office in April — has blamed the United States and the coalition government for his removal, however, the US and ruling parties have refused that there was any conspiracy involved in his removal.

Respect isn't earned through 'money'

At the outset of his speech, the ousted prime minister said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah freed the nation from the slavery of the Britishers and refused to leave them in the slavery of Hindus.

"He (Quaid) noted that Muslims have always lived as an independent nation [...] he also clarified that the Muslims want a sovereign state," the PTI chairperson said.

Khan added that he also wants a sovereign Pakistan and vowed to not beg to any foreign power.

The PTI chairman noted that his political opponents have been maligning him for the last 26 years, but told them that respect isn't earned through "money" — and that despite all their attempts, the nation still supports him.