Imran Khan announces PTI rally in Islamabad next week for PM's resignation
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Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan announced his party's intention to hold a rally in Islamabad next Friday to "demand Nawaz Sharif's resignation".
Speaking to reporters outside the National Assembly, Khan posed the question: "How will the PML-N confront the public after the comments made in the Supreme Court judgement?"
"I asked the PML-N supporters, what were you distributing sweets for yesterday? You should have read the full judgement," he said.
"It has never happened in Pakistan's history before that such comments were passed against a sitting prime minister."
"All five judges have raised questions asked by the PTI," he said, adding that the apex court had rejected all defences presented by the PM's counsel.
"Resign while you are being investigated," he urged the premier. "This is not an unusual demand."
Khan also questioned if it was possible for heads of institutions like the National Accountability Bureau to investigate the prime minister while he remained in power.
"If these institutions had been working, they would have stopped corruption already," he asserted.
Khan's announcement came a day after the Supreme Court's decision on the Panamagate case said it would constitute a Joint Investigation Team to probe the Sharif family's wealth.
What was initially hailed as a win by the PML-N later became an embarrassment for the party as its opposition touted the 2:3 split verdict — neither a clean chit, nor a disqualification — with a strongly-worded dissenting note by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa as an indication that the court had been unable to find Nawaz Sharif innocent.
Read more: Supreme Court gives reprieve to Sharif, but no clean chit
Read more
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Comments (75) Closed
Apr 21, 2017 02:07pm
A leaf from the PAST
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Apr 21, 2017 02:16pm
there we go again.
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Apr 21, 2017 02:16pm
I'm joining PTI protest to demand resignation from corrupt govt.
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Apr 21, 2017 02:20pm
I will come all the way from Chakwal to join your rally. All the best
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Apr 21, 2017 02:28pm
There you go again.
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Apr 21, 2017 02:54pm
The Master of U-Turns had once boasted of carrying truck-loads of evidence to the British authorities against the political fugitive hiding in London, but backed out soon. He also had similar axes against the former president to grind. But, he had left everything and concentrated on the Godsent panama out of the blue. After wasting his and nation's 4 years doing nothing constructive, including in KPK, he is back to the square one and has taken another U-turn on his panama decision being his final hope and starting another terror of turmoil.
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Apr 21, 2017 02:57pm
Imran Khan is right but I dont see Nawaz standing down.
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Apr 21, 2017 03:01pm
Right call. Time to fix corruption.
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Apr 21, 2017 03:02pm
IK has courage to fight to the last ball. He is invincible even if entire statue quo join hands.
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Apr 21, 2017 03:03pm
IK is right in demanding PM to resign or not to hold office until investigation is done and decision is made based on it.
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Apr 21, 2017 03:03pm
A real fighter. Nation is with you, IK
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Apr 21, 2017 03:03pm
THANK YOU IMRAN KHAN!! Take this fight against corruption to its logical end!
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Apr 21, 2017 03:15pm
Ik will never be successful in his ambitions to get resignation from NS. Please wait for Election 2018 if you could get the majority to become PM. Presently the main tussle with NS is the feudal mindset as feudal lords do not accept NS as the head of government, otherwise more corrupt feudal lords than NS are living comfortably in the country.
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Apr 21, 2017 03:16pm
Elections are not far away. Imran Khan should wait for the elections. Also the crowd of PTI is not known to come out during intense sunlight. He should wait for the winters to come out for protests. Summer is too hot for his crowd.
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Apr 21, 2017 03:18pm
Now this is the time for those people who have been indifferent, towards corruption and the struggle to end corruption, to come out on to streets and demand the PM's resignation. It is not about Imran Khan or PTI, it is about principles. Judges have made it clear that the PM is not only ineligible (according to two judges) but also an accused (by three judges). So, in essence, he has lost his credibility. The people of Pakistan should protest country wide because their asking for the PM's resignation would be their own resolve to promote transparency and accountability in their own country. No outsider will come to people's rescue, people will have to do it on their own. Once mass protests start, the PM and the institutions of the country will see what the PML-N has ignored--Judges' clear statements that the PM has been dishonest. This is also a blessing in disguise for the PM, if he does not resign then he won't get another chance (to seek mercy).
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Apr 21, 2017 03:23pm
Good move.
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Apr 21, 2017 03:25pm
Once again IK is the real fighter against corruption. It's about time to get rid of these mafias and their corruption.
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Apr 21, 2017 03:34pm
Here we go again....
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Apr 21, 2017 03:34pm
Let the citizens of Islamabad live in peace please.
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Apr 21, 2017 03:35pm
@Awan Have you ever seen fair election in Pakistan except one held by Yahya Khan? And then what happened?
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Apr 21, 2017 03:40pm
How about the government engages Scotland Yard of UK instead of our own JIT which as such will ensure that neutral and unbiased inquiry is done? Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / zaidi.formerdiplomat@hotmail.com
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Apr 21, 2017 03:49pm
good decision well done IK , It will never end it is War corruption Vs honesty...
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Apr 21, 2017 03:57pm
@Jaredlee67: Campaign of PTI by usurping life of common man is bound to backfire again. He should think about better alternatives like purging corruption first and foremost from his own lines.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:00pm
There PTI goes again.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:00pm
Banking on the decision for elections.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:00pm
Oh god, not again. Can't Imran win in an election instead of trying to tear down the legitimate winner of the past elections??
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Apr 21, 2017 04:02pm
Don't you remember that Imran Khan also was named in PanamaPapers, and that he specifically said he uses off shore accounts to avoid U.K. taxes? That is corruption and illegal. Imran khan has no moral authority over the PM.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:03pm
@Iqbal HADI ZAIDI
If they are neutral why they closed case against Altaf Hussain.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:03pm
Salutes to khan sb for his fight against these corrupt to core politicians .... mr nawaz sharif has no justification to continue as pm after the most senior judges declared him a liar & corrupt ....
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Apr 21, 2017 04:08pm
Protest will not bring anything for PTI. The best is join hands with PPP and bring impeachment motion against PM in the nation assembly and deseat him by voting process.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:10pm
I'll get what I want, by hook or crook.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:13pm
Here we go again.... with spring comes a new season of Dharnas and Bhangras.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:14pm
@Khurram it will never be fixed. Mark my word because it is part of our every day life, the common masses. Leaders are just the reflection of what the society is. Stop having false hopes.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:26pm
@Khan "Don't you remember that Imran Khan also was named in PanamaPapers, " So what's the government waiting for to prosecute him? A petition from PTI?
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Apr 21, 2017 04:36pm
@Salmam "Protest will not bring anything for PTI. " Actually it never protested before. PTI needs to protest this time, instead of gathering people for a show. Protest will bring something, if protest is.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:40pm
Best decision dont let Nawaz to get away with crimes.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:41pm
@Shaukat Ali Khan citizens of Islamabad? Are you representing whole Islamabad people? So be single ok.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:42pm
Everyone must join him for better Pakistan.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:51pm
My Imran Khan , Why asking for something which you have been denied by the Supreme court ? If it was necessary for the PM to resign during the inquiry then the Supreme court would have asked the PM to do so. The Supreme court majority verdict is that there has to be an inquiry . In the British court which Pakistan follows " a person is innocent until proven guilty". According to that definition court has declared the PM innocent. If on the moral ground Majority of Supreme court doesn't think he should resign then you should respect the supreme court verdict and wait fir the outcome.
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Apr 21, 2017 04:54pm
@Khan Where did you see imran khan name in panama papers. And which public office he held when he made offshore companies?.
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Apr 21, 2017 05:21pm
@M.Saeed Have you been to KPK? The system is way better and at least passengers are not beaten to death in the airport. Appreciate the notion of accountability brought about by IK,
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Apr 21, 2017 05:31pm
The number of failures (Election 2013, Dharna 1,2 3, Islamabad shutdown, Panama, ECP, micro-rallies) is increasing and would come to haunt him in the next election. People do not want to be associated with failure.
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Apr 21, 2017 05:53pm
@Rajab Ali ..... we saw another fair election other than under Yahya Khan what was in KPK in 2013 where IK won................ only fair election in Pakistan will be when PTI won
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Apr 21, 2017 05:58pm
IK had assured that he would accept Supreme Court judgement on Panamagate. He is breaking his own commitment 2nd time. Earlier also he had assured that he would stand by the judgement of Judicial Commission but he immediately backed out afterwards. Why did he waste Supreme Court time if he had to settle all issues on the streets. IK does not want to give up what he is best at and that is agitations, nothing else
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Apr 21, 2017 06:02pm
@ASIf kahsmiri Well, if he is right, then go support his demand.....no good being a patriot from beyond the keyboard!
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Apr 21, 2017 06:12pm
@Shaukat Ali Khan
"Let the citizens of Islamabad live in peace please."
Islamabad is center of power and you guys need to act like lions to save country's interests and take lead against corruption and rules.
Sheeps always prefer to stay in comfort zones and lions always roar against injustice. So let's be lion rather sheeps.
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Apr 21, 2017 06:14pm
KPK is in turmoil at the moment. The latest news in DAWN is that nearly 4000 protestors have surrounded a police station in Chitarl to kill someone accused to blasphemy. Just last week a huge mob killed Mishal Khan (who was wrongly accused of blasphemy ) in KPK.
My point is IK should have a rally in the KPK to tell the people of KPK to not to take the law in their hands. Of course he won't do that, he needs a rally in the capital of Pakistan to become the next PM of Pakistan.
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Apr 21, 2017 06:18pm
Imran, I am desperately waiting to see you do miracles in KP This is how I will believe you can do the same for the whole country.
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Apr 21, 2017 06:45pm
When will we get around to solving the real problems of the nation?
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Apr 21, 2017 06:55pm
WIll full support for IK and his party. Request to public please come out to show what Pk need.
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Apr 21, 2017 06:55pm
Showing another angry face. Same old thing. If he was PM he would be angry because the government will not do what he says. Zero political skills. Just call for another protest march.
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Apr 21, 2017 07:05pm
So khan Sahib, shall we assume that you are PM of pakistan now
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Apr 21, 2017 07:26pm
@Alba if you are fine with corruption then you can say whatever you like nobody is going to help you.
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Apr 21, 2017 07:34pm
A better way for PTI would be to hold intra party election and prepare for the elections. Let the people cast their verdict at the polls.
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Apr 21, 2017 07:44pm
oh man this guy Imran Khan never rests, he wants to be PM so badly, just unbelievable.
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Apr 21, 2017 08:26pm
What a U turn master. Yesterday ate sweets and today going for review.
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Apr 21, 2017 08:48pm
@Irfan-Sydney "Why asking for something which you have been denied by the Supreme court ? " IK is asking for his resignation, which is different. The court has ordered him to appear at the JIT. Of course the court doesn't ask for resignation, it declares guilty. So you may like the fact that the court did not ask for his resignation.
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Apr 21, 2017 08:57pm
Go on Kaptaan..!! Totally support your every move against these corrupt trolls!
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Apr 21, 2017 09:24pm
Although I'm with PTI, but now I'm not supporting Imran Khan in this campaign against PM. He said he would acknowledge all the verdict given by Supreme Court, now he is deviating from his own decision. He is taking uturn as usual. Imran Khan is honest and pure but he is not good politician. He should get rid of his childish behaviour to run his party successfully. I would suggest him to get over his Shareef Phobia.
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Apr 21, 2017 09:25pm
@ft
Go waste your time.
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Apr 21, 2017 09:28pm
@Azmeen They failed to provide acceptable evidence to the authorities against Altaf Hussain, hence they were left with no other option except to close the case. Wake up and focus your attention on the real issues created by the two major political parties that has brought Pakistan to the brink of disaster.
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Apr 21, 2017 09:29pm
@PAtriot
Which nation, people from the MARS? PTI candidate lost in Talia Gang two days before the verdict , you still think people are with IK.
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Apr 21, 2017 09:31pm
@Khan
Agreed, and he himself has avoided answering questions of his wrongdoings before ECP.
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Apr 21, 2017 09:34pm
@BAXAR , You wrote " IK is asking for his resignation, Of course the court doesn't ask for resignation" Yes a court can ask for that , In fact two of the judges just did that.
Two out of three judges wanted PM to be dismissed, that means they wanted his resignation. Majority verdict in the court stays. Three judges did not believe the Plaintiffs were able to prove the PM is involved in the criminal activities beyond reasonable doubt, so they asked for further investigation. (like a tennis player winning best of five in a final with three winning and 2 loses ). To put it succinctly,
Two judges wanted resignation, Three didn't. That implies that , No resignation was demanded by the supreme court in the final verdict. Should PM listen to the Supreme court or Imran Khan who had promised that he would accept the supreme verdict ?
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Apr 21, 2017 11:44pm
@ft We are also coming.
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Apr 21, 2017 11:53pm
@Zak
Most of us are fed up with PTI shows please.
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Apr 22, 2017 12:40am
It seems from the comments that people are happy with the 'status quo' of corruption as dispensed by PML-N and PPP etc and people are just not prepared to fight for their 'democratic' rights!
The democracies in the West did not just 'happened' people paid with lives historically to achieve the level of democratic 'rights' that they enjoy at present!
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Apr 22, 2017 01:21am
imran khan is wasting his time his party lost chakwal he needs to tour the country and build a grass root party/masses are sick of marches
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Apr 22, 2017 04:04am
If anybody can confront NS in corruption cases, it's IK. I commend IK's resilience as he faced many odds to reach this far, yet he has to cover a lot of ground. Imran,We are with you and support your demand of asking NS to step down as PM.
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Apr 22, 2017 06:47am
Imran Khan the Iron Man keep up the pressure on the corrupt system. Inshallah, you will win. I will request all residents of Pindi and Islamabad give him full support. Imran Khan the true leader after Quaid-ie- Azam.
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Apr 22, 2017 07:02am
He promised the nation that he will respect the SC decision? he does not want to wait for the SC pursuit of the case.
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Apr 22, 2017 11:48am
History shows this is the only way to get the work done. PNA movement & Restoration of judiciary movement are proof.
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Apr 22, 2017 04:30pm
Peoples should come out & join the masses to show that justice delayed is justice denied. What seven months could not fetched 60 days will fetch. Peaceful street protest will force Nawaz Sharif to step down.
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Apr 22, 2017 11:38pm
@Syed (Australia)
Everything looks beautiful from distance. Look at the company IK has plus the misuse of government assets by him. We at Islamabad are fed up with the politics of containeering, blameering, and sloganeering; and above all - hypocrisy.
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Apr 24, 2017 04:01pm
Right, all we need is another week of NOT working on our economy.
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