The Core Committee of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf has decided that the Azadi March must take place on August 14 at every cost and any attempt to detain its chief Imran Khan will be resisted with full strength.
Speaking to media persons after the party's core committee meeting here on Sunday, PTI spokesperson Shireen Mazari said that her party would strongly resist any attempt by the government to detain Imran Khan and demanded the government to restore fuel supply and remove containers placed across the whole country. "No container can stop or discourage the PTI's workers from coming to the Capital city to join the Azadi march on August 14," she said.
Senior PTI leader Javed Hashmi also warned that Khan's arrest would be the biggest blunder of the Sharif's government. Seconding Dr Mazari, he said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would be responsible for the derailment of democracy if he tried to stop Azadi march by force.
Sources said that the Core Committee also decided that the party would ask for compensation from Nawaz Sharif's family for all those whose earning was disturbed by the barriers and containers placed by the government. The claims of container owners whose containers were used to stop the PTI long march would also be paid from the government.
In their demands, the core committee asked the government to remove all containers immediately and restore petrol supply. The Core Committee also demanded the Punjab government immediately implement the Lahore High Court order demanding the impounded motorcycles be released.
The core committee further resolved that there would be no compromise on Azadi march and today (Monday) the chairman would expose those who were involved in and responsible for massive rigging during the May 2013 elections.
The Core Committee sent its workers a clear message that they must reach Islamabad at all costs and come prepared with basic food as there should be no doubt in anyone's mind that the PTI workers and leaders would come to Islamabad even if they have to walk. Later, the committee offered Fateha for the two PTI office bearers murdered in Karachi.
In a latest development, Imran Khan on Sunday reportedly refused to meet Jamat-e-Islami delegation led by its Amir Sirajul Haq, who wanted to share the government's recommendations on the PTI demands. Imran Khan reportedly said that there would be no meeting with any political party or leader before the Azadi March where he would present his demands.
At the same time, Khan said, the political parties should decide either they are standing with his democratic struggle or they are on the side of the 'monarchy'.