Imran Khan will be responsible if 'Azadi march' targeted: Pervaiz Rashid

E-Paper | April 27, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid said on Sunday that Imran Khan will be responsible in the event of an incident of terrorism on August 14 — the day of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's scheduled 'Azadi march'.

Speaking to media in Rawalpindi, Rashid said Imran Khan will have to give assurance that the rally will be a peaceful one.

He said that Imran's reported call for the resignations of PTI MNAs will lead to a mutiny within his party. He also said that leaders of Muslim League did not resort to a 'long march' to create Pakistan but instead pursued a democratic struggle.

"Why didn't Imran Khan stage a march during Musharraf's regime?" he asked, claiming that those standing up against the government are supporters of General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

The information minister's statement comes at a time when the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) is reportedly approaching the PTI for a negotiation prior to Imran Khan's scheduled 'million-man' march to the capital on August 14.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has denied any meeting with Imran, while the PTI chief has said there is "no room" for any agreement with the government.

Imran called on country-wide supporters to march to Islamabad in protests of the government's alleged rigging of four key constituencies that the PTI chief says were won fraudulently by the PML-N.

Abid Sher Ali accuses Imran of cooperating with Taliban

At a media briefing on Sunday, Federal State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali accused Imran Khan of collaborating with the Taliban and said he is dividing the nation.

"It is the Taliban who is organising the long March and Imran Khan is speaking their language," Sher Ali told reporters.

Abid further said that the PML-N stands by the Pakistan military.

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Masoud

Aug 03, 2014 12:59pm

All rubbish, PML N is responsible & will remain responsible for tinting the last election. Had the elections been fair we wouldn't be facing this Azadi March.

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tayyaba

Aug 03, 2014 01:02pm

it is govt responsibility to give full proof security to azadi march.

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Krezy

Aug 03, 2014 01:05pm

Pervez Rashid says: Long march supporters are essentially supporters of Musharaf... Abid Sher Ali says: IK is playing in hands of Taliban...and we stand by side of army... Musharaf says: I have support of Army... Alas: Pmln politicians, old or new, are playing dangerous games...Their poltics revolves around army... notion of 1990s...They have to come out of their confusion first... with our against... btw with 2 third of majority it shouldn't be that difficult of task...

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Sharar

Aug 03, 2014 01:14pm

I think responsibility falls on IK's shoulders as well as govt. Both should calm down , else both will drown and so will, God forbid everything.

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asim

Aug 03, 2014 01:21pm

PML-N has cheated their way to form the government, this is why they have been preventing audit of the elections FOR ONE WHOLE YEAR. Time for the cheaters to get thrown out .

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ghuman

Aug 03, 2014 01:22pm

Don't threat imran.did not you guys learn the lesson by underestimating him

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Khurram

Aug 03, 2014 01:28pm

Poor PML(N) is behaving like a kid now. They have forgotten that they are still the government and therefore it is their responsibility to provide security to its citizens, including the protesters.

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Sharar

Aug 03, 2014 01:34pm

@asim So has IK in KPK

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Arif Aslam Khan

Aug 03, 2014 01:49pm

In case of a Terrorism act how can the Govt blame PTI, it is the Govt's duty to make sure that peace prevails. This is rubbish & a Statement from totally perplexed crony of N-League.

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Rakaposhi

Aug 03, 2014 01:49pm

It is very sad that a person like Parvez Rashid can be a minister and PM's spokeman!

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Ali

Aug 03, 2014 01:51pm

This is so funny. I was kind of expected something like this from Pervez Rasheed. This shows the real caliber of the illiterate PML-N government. I bet the whole of PML-N hasn't slept in days due to the fear of PTI.

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Mohammad Akram

Aug 03, 2014 02:07pm

PTI got every right to show the government that they have muscle when all their efforts to seek justice on the issue of vote rigging failed Nawaz Sharif came into power with rigged votes and why deny the justice and cheating voters This is the time that Pakistanis get up and change the dishonest system of so called democracy Asking for counting of four areas shows that PML N cheated on votes when they refused to go in accordance with the Clause 222 of the Consitution.

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irfan

Aug 03, 2014 02:08pm

PTI is a wasting time because is doing nothing in KPK.pml n has strong mandate from one or two seats ik doing nothing.

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Ali

Aug 03, 2014 02:11pm

A men like Pervaiz Rasheed is Federal Minister Information. Abid Sher Ali is Electricity Minister, who expects this Govt to solve problems? By making Mamnoon Hussian President and Ishaq Dar Finance Minister Nawaz Sharif is showing how much he hates Pakistan

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irfan

Aug 03, 2014 02:11pm

govt is doing long term energy plans solution for pakistan & also cheap fuel coal.we have three parties better is ns.i am the voter of none.

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Suny

Aug 03, 2014 02:14pm

Even after imposing article 245 if you fear terror attack, please leave govt. And do what you can do and not governing Pakistan again. It's funny isn't it, you got power, govt., and still IK will be responsible. Tell us what's your duty sir?

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Imran

Aug 03, 2014 02:21pm

And you are responsible for compelling IK to do long march!

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Rakaposhi

Aug 03, 2014 02:25pm

Parvez Rashid, the PAT workers didn't come out on streets to protest and they were sleeping in the middle of the night but your government went and killed a dozen of them..is your government at least responsible for that?

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A Khan

Aug 03, 2014 02:29pm

This man .. mr. pervaiz rashid..looks reasonable as long as he does not speak. Political parties should get rid of such "low calibre actors"

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baakhlaq

Aug 03, 2014 02:38pm

Wow, how will he take the responsibility of a tsunami march when he could not take the responsibility of his kids.

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ali

Aug 03, 2014 02:38pm

Why are you becoming a funny character. "rehman malik 2"

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waqar jan

Aug 03, 2014 03:08pm

Pervez too little too late - u r done.

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Javeed

Aug 03, 2014 03:22pm

Insane! if these are the ministers words then I would strongly back IK for the rally, they are running away from the responsibilities and looking for excuses to save their chair. Theses statements give me a feeling that PML-N have done what IK blames them for, so they are scared. Proper security arrangements should be done so that no untoward thing happens... May truth win!

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fida sayani

Aug 03, 2014 03:42pm

Jinnah, the creator of Pakistan, in his famous speech of August 11, 1947 says and I quote "First duty of a government is to maintain law and order, so that the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully protected by the state". Know it is the duty of Nawaz Sharif government to honor Jinnah's speech. Regarding the minster, whose name is not worth mentioning, should be immediately removed from the cabinet for his irresponsible statement. As far his other assertion that the leaders of Muslim League did not resort to a 'long march' to create Pakistan but instead pursued a democratic struggle. Please read the book written on Jinnah,which clearly shows that Jinnah was Muslim League and Muslim League was Jinnah. Creation of Pakistan was one man democratic victory. He should remember that his beloved Punjab's elected government before 1946 was run by Unionist Party, a collaborator of Indian Congress Party. Before 1947, only two provinces, Sindh and Bengal, of British India had Muslim League government.

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sohail

Aug 03, 2014 03:43pm

@Ali Yes you are right. People like Parvez Rasheed and Abid Sher Ali who don't even know how to speak. GOD save Pakistan from these liars.

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Khanzada

Aug 03, 2014 03:59pm

I was very bored since morning. These two statements make me laughing loud. Good Jokes.

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Khanzada

Aug 03, 2014 04:02pm

@irfan Every one knows about that so called mandate. If its a real mandate then why they are so confused and acting like school kids.

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Sohaib the Pakistani

Aug 03, 2014 04:26pm

@Javeed Ameen!

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tariq

Aug 03, 2014 04:31pm

This statement from this fool is enough to indict him

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Pakistani

Aug 03, 2014 04:31pm

Abid sher Ali's statement is really funny.thanks for giving us laugh.

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Sharar

Aug 03, 2014 04:41pm

@Javeed I like the May Truth win. In fact every Pakistani should pray or it. Because even IK is lying when he says that I am not doing long march for PM ship.

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Merchant

Aug 03, 2014 04:43pm

Again complete non sence from the government. It is the ruler's responsibility to facilitate such democratic events by providing adequate protection. Big and young Mian Sahebs have again got it completely wrong.

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Nazir Ahmed

Aug 03, 2014 04:43pm

Unworthy statement.

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AbidRashid

Aug 03, 2014 04:45pm

IK want some of his fans die on road and he ask for govt resignation... and hold new elections without Sharif brothers... to feed his greediness for PMship...

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haris

Aug 03, 2014 05:03pm

In short " we are incapable of providing any level of security to the country" --- Info.Minister

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zafar

Aug 03, 2014 05:56pm

@baakhlaq You can keep making that argument, but understand that people of Pakistan are fed up with it. The looters and the cheaters of this nation have no moral authority to tell me what kind of a person my leader is - period!

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khanman

Aug 03, 2014 06:05pm

yeah usual words of escape. if something happened you will be responsible. he is going to do it because of you. if your gov went straight things wouldn't have come to this.its like a=b=c means a=c. so it means you will be responsible. do you know this theorem well i dont think you are that competent

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Saad Sami

Aug 03, 2014 06:15pm

What happen if its get violent ? only poor people and their family will suffer. All these politicians children are in States or Europe. You will suffer at the end.. ? IK are sons in the march ? is there any politicians whose children are on streets in this so called March ?

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Cashman

Aug 03, 2014 06:18pm

Love the support Imran has in media and overseas pakistani's, huge crowd puller,leader of educated people,international sports icon etc etc etc. PTI est. 1992 that's 22 years but in the 21 years what are his or pti's accomplishments, less then nothing. All of a sudden a rush of derailing a elected government based on rigged election. Dude everyone in pakistan knows how elections are held but since you contested first time you expected to rail road everyone else and become the undisputed Captain! Wake up and smell the Niswar dude your supporters have dooped you. If they really wanted you elected you would have been. Nawaz or plmn is no miracle party and Pakistans bad luck that politics and political parties are all tainted with pti no exception so to make it short take it easy dude. It's going to take a long time before a real democracy emerges here.this is no fast food joint with drive thru this is young country which has gone thru a lot and will continue till true national spirit will give way to true democracy. But you are too old to get it.

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MAlvi

Aug 03, 2014 06:25pm

@AbidRashid Stop talking non-sense.

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Khan

Aug 03, 2014 06:26pm

I can see a clear pattern emerging here. Very dangerous. It all happened in Egypt in last few years. For once I thought Pakistan was slowly going back to an economic revival but naah.. IK's "Azadi March" is no more than the democracy which Iraq is enjoying these days or freedom that Libya is suffering right now. I think the global situation is so sensitive and Pakistan already in a state of war on its own this can be extremely dangerous. IK will regret of losing whatever little bit of "democracy" we have now. GDP growth is sure going to go down and inflation will go up. Investment will go down and unemployment will go up. Is IK going to refuse to obey IMF and other financial masters, NO. He cannot possibly say no to them. Is he not going to run one man show.. he is already running one man show... future does not look bright to my eyes.

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Ayesha

Aug 03, 2014 06:29pm

Somebody should tell him to Shut up --

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bukhari.m

Aug 03, 2014 06:31pm

Time for government to act wisely and make for the possible rigging they have done while, Mr. Imran Khan should stop hiding his governments inabilities by staging protests regarding inconsistencies at only four seats. His strategy is not gonna win him Premiership of Pakistan.

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Shahpur

Aug 03, 2014 06:45pm

Rulers are in Panic and they should be in Panic. if they can not protect Marchers then Army should take over and get rid of rulers. The best and quickest solution.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Aug 03, 2014 06:47pm

Why IK will be responsible? It is the government's responsibility to protect the citizens. I fear the PML-N government can stage an attack and blame it on IK. We all have seeb what the police did in Lahore killing innocent people. This time PML-N can send people in civil dresses.

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Malik

Aug 03, 2014 07:01pm

Still making statements which will add more strength to Azadi march. Putting petrol to the fire.

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Abid

Aug 03, 2014 07:24pm

@Sharar And let the justice be denied to TIK.

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Em Moosa

Aug 03, 2014 07:30pm

Poor Sharif brothers employee. He was an ordinary bureaucrat First elevated to the position of PTV boss by Sharifis and then went close and closer to Sharifs. He has to talk nonsense to save his job. Jasmine Manzoor has personal experience of worst treatment when she sent her team for the interview of his boss Nawaz sharif to Raiwind palaces. Her tv equipments are still with Pervez Rasheed which were snatched by PML-N goons.

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Abid

Aug 03, 2014 07:30pm

And Pervez Rashid must ask Tahir ul Qadri name the person who is responsible for killing and injuring people in Lahore.

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Khan

Aug 03, 2014 07:41pm

Like Nawaz Shareef is responsible for all the attacks happening in Pakistan. How could PTI be responsible if a terrorist attack happens on the 14th. Law and order is state's responsibility.

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optimist

Aug 03, 2014 08:00pm

Who made this man minister.

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azi

Aug 03, 2014 08:02pm

If something happens to the long march it would be orchestrated by the same ministers government, who is Pervaiz Rashid trying to fool.........Please join Imran Khan to get a new Pakistan.

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M.M.Sherazi

Aug 03, 2014 08:05pm

The responsibility of violence shall be falling on the PTI shoulders; they are preparing to cause the chaos, Government reserves the legal rights to deal with the miscreants trying to take law in their own hands.

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Ali

Aug 03, 2014 08:51pm

@Khan and @Cashman your comments reek of a mind who has lost any will to fight back the corrupt system and accept the fate. Fortunately, that is NOT how the PTI workers feel. What "little bit of democracy" are wel talking about? A party which comes into power through rigged elections is as much illegal as a general who comes to power through a coup d'etat.

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Shahpur

Aug 03, 2014 08:53pm

@Cashman Extremely ignorant Statement. When People want a change they will bring a change. People like Imran khan are coincidental. If People want change they will make sacrifices. So do not blame Imran khan. People will March whether there is Imran Khan or not.

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SamKelly

Aug 03, 2014 08:57pm

Nawaz Sharif you rigged the election now face the blowback yourself, you thought yu'll get a away with it easily and nobody will even question, youre in 2014 buddy not 1990s...time for yu to go and let the common man handle.

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Syed Ahmed

Aug 03, 2014 09:24pm

The PML(N) targeted PAT's set up and if tries to target PTI, that would be the end of PML(N) and their stooges for good.

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Arisha G

Aug 03, 2014 11:01pm

Chalo ji! Blame PTI and IMRAN KHAN for what happened to that little boy whose arms were cut off so barbarically. Who does that to a kid? Here is Pakistan no Palestine. Blame him for the viscous attacks and brutal murders of the Ahamdis too....

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Aug 03, 2014 11:42pm

What a joke?

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ZAIN KHAN

Aug 04, 2014 01:34am

@Rakaposhi Absolutely right.This gentleman along with khwaja Rafiq are not fit to be in the posts they hold. The use of undiplomatic language is always used for their opponents.

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ZAIN KHAN

Aug 04, 2014 01:37am

@Ali Totally agree.

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Umar Aftab

Aug 04, 2014 02:20am

Why does this sound like a threat? BBs murder has not been forgotten by the nation - both supporters and political opponents. NS and his family were forced to live outside the country for a decade. If there is an attack on IK, the current rulers will have difficulty in finding a safe place to live anywhere in the world let alone Pakistan.

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Mehreen Rehman, Barrister & Solicitor

Aug 04, 2014 04:15am

Abid further said that the PML-N stands by the Pakistan military >>> the way it has been repeatedly emphasized by govt officials that PML-N is with the military shows that there is some inside story to it. If IK has the military support then PML-N days are definitely limited. In any case nobody should support usurpers.

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AD raye

Aug 07, 2014 07:09pm

reason is that pervaiz rasheed nd abid sher ali both are afraid ov IK's azaadi march infact it is nt only Ik's march every pakistani will participate who wants to clear our beloved country from cheatrs

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