Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has categorically rejected all suggestions regarding changing the already-announced date of the march toward Raiwind on September 24 despite the fact that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will not be in the country.

Sources within the PTI’s Punjab circle told Daily Times on Wednesday that Imran Khan was approached by some leaders who suggested him to reschedule the date of the Raiwind march, as the premier would be abroad on September 24.

Sources also said that the party’s seasoned politicians did not endorse the idea of the Raiwind march, as there was no tradition of such protests, especially that involved besieging the private residence of a political opponent.

Sources further said that the PTI’s central leadership listened to the suggestions, but softly refused to reschedule the protest, saying that it would be considered as a big U-turn. On this, the provincial leaders convinced Imran Khan to garner full support of PML-N’s political opponents to make the best of it.

Meanwhile, in a statement, former Punjab governor and PTI leader Chaudhry Sarwar urged the government to initiate the accountability process, especially on the issue of Panama leaks, within 16 days or get ready for the Raiwind march.

He also said that if the Nawaz government did not show seriousness on the issue, the PTI would certainly hold the accountability march towards Raiwind.

On the other hand, the Punjab government has taken the announcement of Raiwind march seriously, with spokesman Zaeem Qadri threatening opponents of dire consequences if they even tried to rally an attack on the Sharifs’ residence.

Separately, sources within the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) informed Daily Times that Sheikh Rashid Ahmad of the Awami Muslim League had contacted Dr Tahirul Qadri, inviting him to the march. However, they said Dr Qadri would announce his decision in this regard after Eidul Azha.