PTI offers to withdraw countrywide shutdown call

E-Paper | June 06, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran khan on Sunday offered to withdraw his party's call for a countrywide shutdown if the government set a date for the formation of judicial commission to look into alleged rigging during the 2013 General Elections, DawnNews reported.

Speaking during a press conference at his residence in Bani Gala, the PTI chairman said that his party would withdraw its shutdown call if the judicial commission was constituted.

"The countrywide shutdown call will be withdrawn if the judicial commission is setup," he said.

Imran Khan also apologised to the people of Lahore for difficulties they may face during Monday’s shutdown, saying that it was necessary for bringing about change in the country.

“No-one forced the people of Karachi to shut-down… they did it out of their own will,” he said.

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Sohrab

Dec 14, 2014 09:55pm

For once I agree with him and sounds very reasonable!

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ziavrep labqi

Dec 14, 2014 10:01pm

Government has already said that it had asked the court in August this year to form the judicial commission. IK should better request the court now.

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Liaquat

Dec 14, 2014 10:14pm

I don't think he has ability to shutdown even half country. This is his trap for NL to be involved in un constitutional actions. Making judicial commission is not govt job they can only request.

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wajid ali

Dec 14, 2014 10:18pm

Government does not have the authority to form a judicial commission Supreme Court has it and Imran knows this as well. Supreme Court has been requestedin August and Imran should wait for their decision

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Moona

Dec 14, 2014 10:25pm

“No-one forced the people of Karachi to shut-down… they did it out of their own will.” Yes, they did it to avoid getting their life and property damaged by your thugs!

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syed wasim haider

Dec 14, 2014 10:36pm

If PML-N is sincere, then they should accept this offer.

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Key Points

Dec 14, 2014 10:54pm

Electoral reforms & governance reforms are need of the time. (1) Two Term Limits - No more than two-times the same person as PM, same person as CM or the same person as Governor (2) Mandatory elections within all political parties - No more party leadership awarded based on family last name.

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Shuaib Bhat

Dec 14, 2014 11:02pm

No DON'T accept. This will set a TERRIBLE precedent. Other parties will do the same and get their way like this! Also it shouldn't be accepted anyway. His demand for mid-terms without proof of SYSTEMIC rigging is totally illegitimate!! Also his "country wide" shutdown isn't even managable. He can't do it. So it's just empty rhetoric anyway. Go through with your threat. It's totally harmless AND Imran says it'll be a "peaceful" shutdown! So what's there to fear? All just media hype.

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Fawad Gilani

Dec 14, 2014 11:13pm

I see a U turn coming

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Ali

Dec 14, 2014 11:16pm

No matter what but any person with logic must support IK now as it is upto PMLN to show sincerety to the country. And what is wrong having a check and balance. It should always be there ready to act at any time for a fee.

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Akib

Dec 14, 2014 11:36pm

@syed wasim haider they did back in august try to pay attention to something outside of the PTI circus

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confused

Dec 14, 2014 11:52pm

Looks like plan - C, is not going according to the plans. Otherwise, what is the use of demanding something to be done, which has already being requested by the government from the courts ? Face saving, maybe.

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F Khan

Dec 15, 2014 12:08am

Let Khan Sb do whatever he wants. He damn cares about the country and we damn care about him and his sermons.

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Ghostrider

Dec 15, 2014 12:18am

'PTI offers to withdraw the call for countrywide shut down' if IK's dictation is accepted.

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Confused

Dec 15, 2014 12:29am

Noon League should ask IK to write his pledge that he would fully accept any outcome of the judicial commission and if the decision is against him, stop campaigning until 2018. If IK doesn't agree, then Noon should call his bluff and ask him to go ahead and shut the entire country. This will ensure that IK becomes more unpopular throughout the country at once.

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Awais Ali

Dec 15, 2014 12:45am

My God here are some people who are commenting some useless comments. everybody knows the supreme court will make judicial commission but TOR(Terms Of References ) are being set by the two parties with mutual understanding otherwise supreme court will not be able to make commission. and PML-N is not ready to set TOR this is what IK is saying. IK want that the letter which has been already written to supreme court should be written under article 190 otherwise SC will not be able to investigate election 2013 through civil and intelligence help. Please guys try to understand you are well educated but unaware badly.

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Dec 15, 2014 02:05am

The only solution to this mayhem is fresh elections under the umbrella of an international committee. What is the Judicial committee going to do, or has ever done, and if it has, it has never been implemented, everything is on a clearance sale in Pakistan. Then again the same old ruckus will start all over again. It is time to save Pakistan rather than bitching at each other. You scratch my back I will scratch yours.

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W.Shaikh

Dec 15, 2014 02:25am

Another U-Turn after failure to get enough support from the masses.

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Muhammed

Dec 15, 2014 02:51am

@wajid ali nobody can wait for SC, some of its case's take decade's. ..thats just what corrupt nawaz and co want.

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Dec 15, 2014 03:32am

Many people who shut down their businesses is out of fear of riots and not support for PTI. Ask Karachi if they support strike by MQM and PTI is no different. PTI is becoming another MQM.

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Dec 15, 2014 03:39am

@Awais Ali It is an election issue and why not let it go through the proper chanel through the election commission first. After decision by EC then IK can appeal to the SC, that is what the SC is going to say.

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raza

Dec 15, 2014 06:34am

Pakistan has a hystory for creating a mess and nothing will change.

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GrammarNazi

Dec 15, 2014 07:19am

Call off*

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Idea Khan

Dec 15, 2014 09:42am

Let UN monitor fresh elections. They also did it in other countries that are backward

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Awais Ali

Dec 19, 2014 04:45pm

@FA My dear election tribunals are responsible of addressing all rigging petitions in 4 months after election but its been 18 months now and tribunals are unable to deliver decision just on 4 constituencies due to govt pressure and violating the article 225 of constitution. what is now? what option IK have except this? where to get justice now? any suggestion?

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