Ousted PM Imran Khan gives new government 6-day ultimatum to hold fresh elections

Imran Khan, Pakistan’s ex-prime minister, handed the Shehbaz Sharif administration a six-day deadline to dissolve provincial assemblies and call new general elections. 

Ousted prime minister Imran Khan handed the Shehbaz Sharif administration a six-day deadline to dissolve provincial assemblies and call new general elections.  

He threatened that if the “imported government” failed to do so, he would come to the capital with the “entire nation.” 

Fresh Elections 

On Thursday morning, Khan lashed out at the government for using “tactics” like raids and arrests to block the march of his party’s members while hailing the Supreme Court (SC) for taking note of the problem. 

“The government deployed teargas on nonviolent protests, our houses were seized, and our privacy was violated,” he added.  

“However, I have watched the nation liberate itself from the dread of servitude.” 

He told Geo News that he would return to Islamabad within six days if the imported government failed to dissolve the assembly and call elections. 

According to Khan, peaceful rallies are not permitted in a democracy.  

People are subjected to tear gas shelling, police raids, and arrests, noting that the Supreme Court judges have a “great responsibility.” 

“I will sit here until the government dissolves the assemblies and holds elections,” he said.  

“From what I see in the last 24 hours, I think we are heading for chaos.”  

He also claimed that the government attempted to create a divide between the people and the police. 

According to the Dawn daily, Khan stated the government would be glad if he organized a sit-in in Islamabad since it would result in conflicts between the people and the police and army. 

A spokesman for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said five of its members were killed in skirmishes during the party’s march, including one who fell off the Attock bridge amid tear gas shelling and another who was pushed into the Ravi river. 

He further stated that he had received information that three people had been slain in Karachi. 

“I’m pleading with the judges again to rescue your FIA” (Federal Investigation Agency).  

“No FIA officer would probe the powerful in the future if he ends up like Dr Rizwan and Asghar,” he warned. 

After the events of the previous 48 hours, the PTI head stated that he and the entire nation were turning to the courts for answers. 

He claimed to have arrived in Islamabad after a 30-hour journey from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.  

Ex-premier Khan left for Bani Gala after announcing a six-day deadline, leaving behind his followers who marched for hours in expectation of a large public assembly and sit-in. 

Khan arrived in Islamabad early on Thursday and marched towards D-Chowk, as the federal government approved the army’s deployment in the Red Zone to “guard critical government buildings.” 

Under Article 245 of the Constitution, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah tweeted that the government was “pleased to allow the deployment” of the army in the Red Zone. 

According to the announcement, the Supreme Court, Parliament House, Prime Minister House, Presidency, Pakistan Secretariat, and Diplomatic Enclaves are among the structures that would be secured. 

Ousted PM Imran Khan

Khan, who was deposed by a no-confidence vote last month, seems to have lost the army’s backing after refusing to accept the nomination of the ISI intelligence head last year. 

 He has claimed that the no-trust motion was brought against him due to a “foreign conspiracy,” saying that his independent foreign policy and funding were being funnelled from overseas to remove him from office.  

He has accused the United States of being behind the plot, which Washington denies. 

On Wednesday, Imran Khan told his followers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa that “thieves and minions of America” were governing in Islamabad. 

The demonstration was initially permitted by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s coalition administration. Still, on Tuesday, the government withdrew permission, anticipating violence and disorder in the aftermath of the march. 

On Wednesday, police shot tear gas and pursued Khan’s supporters who threw stones near Lahore, Punjab’s capital, injuring numerous people on both sides.  

There were also reports of police fights with Khan’s supporters in numerous locations.

Read More – Pakistan’s parliament approves bill for remove Imran Khan’s elections reforms

Published By: Sandipan Dutta