Islamabad: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday rubbished rumors of him abandoning his “Haqiki Azadi March” which began on Friday to hold talks with the government. He said there is “no chance of talks” until the officials announce the date for the mid-term elections.
On the second day of the rally on Saturday, the protesters failed to reach the designated destination where Imran was to address his supporters. Rumors of Imran skipping the rally spread when he returned to Lahore after the caravan reached Kala Shah Kaku. Asad Umar, general secretary of the Imran-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, said Imran has left for Lahore to attend a “very important meeting”.
Imran rubbished rumors on Twitter that a high-level meeting between PTI and the government was taking place in Lahore. The ‘PTI’ chief tweeted on Saturday, “To all those spreading rumors about my meeting in Lahore, the reason for our return was that Lahore was close and we had already decided not to go there at night.” . My only demand for six months is that a date should be given for holding free and fair elections at the earliest. If talks are to take place, that will be the only demand.”
read also
A PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry told Bol News channel, the protesters were slow as “thousands of people” were walking behind Imran’s container. “No PTI leader is holding any talks with the government as this task has been entrusted to President Arif Alvi. Whatever solution Dr. Alvi has come up with, we will accept that consent or solution.”
Choudhary also said that the talks will not be with the government but with the powerful establishment and the main point of talks will be mid-term elections. “Talks will take place only when the coalition government accepts the demand for mid-term polls,” Choudhary said. Former commerce minister Hammad Azhar said the “Hakki Azadi March” is likely to reach Gujranwala on the third day on Sunday. Imran has already announced that the protesters will reach Islamabad on November 4 and hold a rally, for which the government has not yet given permission. (agency)