ISLAMABAD: Following an impressive show of strength a day after the ouster of its government, the PTI has called for protests across the country every Saturday to “re­claim the freedom lost to the United States of America”.

“We will take to the streets to reclaim our freedom. The present government is out to slash welfare schemes launched by us. We reduced petroleum pri­ces and electricity rates. All the gains will be lost if the government is not changed soon. If we don’t hold prot­e­sts, governments will start changing on one phone call,” Hammad Azhar, the former minister, said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Fawad Chaudhry, another former minister, was also present.

Hammad Azhar claimed that as many as 3,200 security personnel were posted at different camp offices and residences of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“On the other hand, Imran Khan had only 12 security guards. Some of the dissident legislators of PTI who supported the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz have been manhandled,” Hammad Azhar said.

He said Washington had asked the Shehbaz-led government to “do more for safeguarding our interests”.

Turning to the economy, the former minister said the PML-N had left the country in a dismal condition in 2018, forcing the PTI-led government to take tough decisions.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2022