Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan has expressed grief and sorrow over loss of lives during stampede at public meeting in Multan and demanded of the Punjab government to suspend the Deputy Commissioner and conduct inquiry. In a brief address to the participants of sit-in at Islamabad on return from Multan, he said that local administration of Multan was responsible for the tragedy.
The PTI chief did not make any speech at the sit-in on Friday due to Multan tragedy and stated that he would attend the funeral prayers of the people who have lost their lives in the stampede. Imran said that he was told by Shah Mehmood Qureshi about non co-operation of the local administration. The administration has opened only two gates out the six which led the stampede, he said. The Multan incident was complete failure of the administration of Pakistan Muslim League (N), which is running the province for the sixth time, he said.
He said that the power supply of the stadium was switched off by the local administration in spite of payment of electricity dues by the PTI. Those who did not have passes were allowed by the police to sit at the stage, he said.
The PTI chief said that his party has decided not to rely on local administration and police and would make own arrangements for future public meetings including the upcoming gathering in Sargodha. Imran Khan said that the PTI can not celebrate the big occasion due to the Multan tragedy. He said that some people understand that we have been forced into Closed Street, but huge procession in Multan proved that the public has stood up for its rights. He said, "I am waiting of 21st November for public meeting of PTI at Larkana. Time has come to challenge the feudal of Sindh who are looting the people.