PTI Calls Off Long March As Imran Gives Govt 6-Day Ultimatum

PTI Calls Off Long March As Imran Gives Govt 6-Day Ultimatum
Cancelling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s planned sit-in in the capital, party Chairperson Imran Khan issued a 6-day ultimatum to the federal government demanding the dissolution of assemblies and fresh elections in June 2022. PTI supporters who were awaiting a dharna in the capital and had been fighting policemen all day were taken by surprise with the abrupt end to the long march.

Khan left for Bani Gala after addressing the rally in Islamabad. The PTI chairperson said that he would 'return' to Islamabad in 6 days if his demands were not met.

Khan issued the ultimatum while addressing a crowd of supporters from 9th avenue in Islamabad, where he said the government was trying to create a divide between the country and the police.

"I had decided that I will sit here until the government dissolves assemblies and announces elections, but of what I have seen in the past 24 hours, they (govt) are taking the nation towards anarchy," he said, promising to return to the federal capital in 6 days with the 'entire nation'.

Denouncing the 'tactics' of the 'imported fascist' government, he said his rivals would be happy if he stayed as they wanted PTI to clash with the police and the army.

He acknowledged the five PTI workers who lost their lives, saying that one had fallen off the Attock bridge, while another had been pushed into the river Ravi.

Calling on the judiciary, Khan said the entire country was looking towards the Supreme Court after what took place in the last 48 hours, reiterating that the right to peaceful protest was a democratic principle.

Following his speech, Khan departed for Bani Gala. PTI protesters began to broach D-Chowk, where according to Islamabad Inspector General of Police Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, they were 'patiently' asked to leave.

Nasir Khan says the protesters began to disperse afterwards.