Imran Khan announces end of PTI protests

Published December 17, 2014
Imran Khan addressing PTI supporters in Islamabad. -DawnNews Screengrab
Imran Khan addressing PTI supporters in Islamabad. -DawnNews Screengrab

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday decided to end their countrywide sit-in protests, DawnNews reported.

“Due to the situation in the country right now, we have decided to end our protests,” PTI Chairman Imran Khan told party supporters in Islamabad.

The decision was made by the PTI core committee to end the four-month long sit-in protests.

Imran Khan said that the decision had been made in light of the terrorist attack on a school in Peshawar and said that the country needed national unity.

Tuesday's terrorist attack left 141 people dead, including 132 children.

Read also: Militant siege of Peshawar school ends, 141 killed

“I have never seen an atrocity like this in my entire life...I cannot even comprehend how someone could kill children like this,” he said.

“If someone killed my children like this, I would seek to avenge it as well,” Imran said.

When speaking about attending the All Parties Conference (APC) headed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Peshawar today, he said that it had to be done for the country's interest.

“I initially was hesitant to go to the meeting with Nawaz Sharif, but decided that it had to be done in the interest of the nation,” Imran Khan said.

“During the past few months I have seen the people of Pakistan wake up and rise for their rights...We held historic protest rallies in Pakistan with record numbers of people attending,” the PTI chairman said.

However, he said that the party would continue to fight for 'justice' and insisted that a judicial commission had to be constituted to investigate alleged rigging during the 2013 elections.

Imran Khan also said that if the judicial commission finds rigging to have taken place, then the prime minister would have to resign.

The PTI, along with Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), had launched a campaign against the government of PM Nawaz Sharif in August, demanding that he resign over alleged rigging in last years polls.

Meanwhile, PTI workers expressed their disapproval of Imran Khan's announcement to end the protests.

Party workers refused to leave Islamabad’s D-Chowk, while some blocked the PTI chairman’s vehicle while it was leaving the protest site.

APP adds: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif welcomed the announcement by Imran Khan to end his party's sit-in .

“I welcome Imran Khan's announcement of ending his 'Dharna'. This step will strengthen the war against terrorism,” he said.

The prime minister said the reservations of the PTI regarding the general election would be removed.

Opinion

GB’s lost hope

GB’s lost hope

Given the need for democratic and accountable governance in GB, the quest for a provisional province warrants immediate attention.

Editorial

Dangerous times
Updated 14 Feb, 2025

Dangerous times

Pakistan accounted for six journalist killings in 2024, of which three were deliberately murdered, according to the CPJ.
Difficult target
14 Feb, 2025

Difficult target

A ONE-two punch delivered by an unforeseen, sharp dip in inflation and an extremely slim base of taxpayers is...
Amazing show
14 Feb, 2025

Amazing show

PAKISTAN’S ability to turn it up at the flick of a switch remains uninhibited. The latest show came in...
Trump’s folly
Updated 13 Feb, 2025

Trump’s folly

This latest pronouncement only reinforces the fears of those who see the plan as a blueprint for ethnic cleansing.
Corruption ranking
13 Feb, 2025

Corruption ranking

IT comes as little surprise. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024, unveiled on...
Support from remittances
13 Feb, 2025

Support from remittances

EVEN though workers’ remittances dipped, albeit negligibly, in January on a month-over-month basis, the earnings...