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PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday said his party will move the supreme and high courts regarding the “violence” inflicted on the PTI workers and supporters by the government during its recent Azadi March to Islamabad.
Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, Imran recalled the tear-gas shelling and other incidents of heavy handed tactics allegedly used during the march, which ended in abrupt fashion on Thursday after an intense buildup all through the previous day. He said the use of violence against his party’s “peaceful protest” will be raised in front of international human rights organisations as well.
“We are taking the petition in the Supreme Court on Monday and asking whether or not a peaceful protest in this country is a right of a democratic party. Tell us clearly if this harassment would continue if we stage a peaceful protest,” he said.
The PTI chairman lashed out at the government for its measures to clamp down on the Azadi March and the use of police to quell the people. “We have information that they set fire to trees … to frame us,” he added.
Apart from approaching the apex court, Imran said cases will also be registered against Lahore Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Sohail Chaudhry and Islamabad Inspector General of Police Dr Akbar Nasir Khan. “We have to write down the names of police officers, register cases against them and will also share their names and faces on social media,” he added.
Imran said the matter would be a “test for democracy”, and the judiciary as well. “Will we sit down quietly if you close the doors of peaceful protest?” he questioned.
Addressing the institutions, Imran claimed the country was heading towards destruction and it was the responsibility of the entire nation to prevent it. “If it continues this way then all those who allowed such corrupt criminals and convicts [to come to power] will be responsible ,” he added.
