Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Lahore President Waleed Iqbal said on Monday that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was digging its own grave by using state machinery against innocent and peaceful PTI workers.

Talking exclusively to Daily Times before leaving for Islamabad to join his leader, he said such cheap tactics by the incumbent rulers would result in their political death, as masses have realised their nefarious designs.

“Putting up containers cannot contain our resolve, which is to provide our next generation a society that will be free from corruption and corrupt elements. Protest is our democratic right but the tactics used by Nawaz Sharif and company are even worst than cruel dictators or monarchists. Use of force against innocent citizens not only shows the mentality of the ruling elite, but also proves that a handful of people enjoy enough power to manipulate laws according to their wishes,” he remarked.

Referring to the PML-N leaders who labelled PTI’s protest as unjust, Iqbal recalled the time when PML-N leaders, then in opposition, marched towards Islamabad for the so-called freedom of judiciary, despite the fact that a case in this regard was already pending before a court of law.

Iqbal warned the government to refrain from using dirty tactics, as nothing on earth could hinder PTI’s resolve for indiscriminate accountability. “We will travel in groups and combat any sort of violence without disrupting law,” he asserted.

He rejected the ‘sacrifice’ of Senator Pervaiz Rasheed and said that the former information minister could not speak without a signal from his masters. “We want the members of the Sharif family – responsible for the whole drama – to be tried. It is not an alien demand. Had there been real democracy in the country, there would have been no protest on this issue,” he stressed.

On a query regarding the Orange Line Metro Train, the PTI leader said it was deplorable to observe wrong priorities of the Punjab chief minister, who has been in power for the last eight years. “I am all for development but not at the cost of the poor. There are many important issues pertaining to health, education and employment, which need to be resolved. Taking a whopping amount of loan from China for OMT not only shows the Punjab government’s lack of vision, but is also tantamount to putting dust in the eyes of masses,” he added.

Meanwhile, PTI Lahore General Secretary Hammad Azhar said his party wants eradication of corruption, favourism and nepotism from the society. “Educated people of the country have decided to change the fate of this nation. We won’t let the prime minister and his family to get away with this, as it’s about time they should understand that Pakistan is not their personal estate,” he added.

Azhar urged the people to join Imran Khan in Islamabad, as he was the only hope against the prevalent tyranny and oppression. On a query, he said PTI’s funding is mostly generated through its members from abroad as well as within the country. “Audited details can be found on the party’s website, unlike any other political party in the country,” he concluded.