PTI also decides to launch anti-corruption movement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to make preparations for mass mobilisation to unleash a nation-wide movement against corruption, tax evasion and money laundering.

The party’s top leadership met here with PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the chair and took stock of the situation evolving in the backdrop of PanamaLeak revelations at this critical juncture. Imran’s close ally Jamaat-e-Islami has already launched a train march against corruption.

The first casualty of the proposed nation-wide movement is the already postponed but much-touted intra-party election. However, the party expressed its resolve to hold the electoral exercise at appropriate time but postponed it for indefinite period.

A source privy to the meeting told The News that the forum noted with concern the government massive spending from the national exchequer on relentless media campaign to defend the Sharif family with regards to their offshore companies, reflected in the Panama Papers. He said the meeting was happy on people’s more than encouraging to its rallies despite inhospitable weather.   

In the coming days, various committees will be formed to mobilise public on the proposed movement, the source maintained and added during the month of Ramazan, iftari gatherings would be ideal opportunity to sensitive people about PTI’s programme.

PTI leadership also expressed serious concern over the government efforts to pressure the independent media, especially the electronic media.

“The government is using Pemra through its head, Absar Alam, whose appointment itself is controversial given his activism for PML-N, to harass those TV networks that fail to toe the government line,” alleged Dr. Shireen Mazari, who is spokesperson to Imran Khan.

She said the party leadership felt it was simply unacceptable that the government was using public funds in efforts to stop TV channels from conducting investigations into corruption and exposing the guilty, while lavishing disproportionate funds to those channels that fall in line with the government’s propaganda.

The independent media, she noted, has fought for its freedom and independence and PTI stood behind the independent media and would not allow the government to use Pemra and its chief for its nefarious ends.

However, it was learnt that no specific mention was made regarding Imran’s announcement, he made immediately after the PanamaLeak explosions, to launch a march on Raiwind.