ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday held a meeting to finalise arrangements for its much-hyped long march amid reports that the former ruling party is likely to announce the date for the protest in a week.

The meeting, chaired by party chief Imran Khan, discussed the possibility of the use of violence by the government to stop the protest and mulled over strategies as to how to deal with possible “brutality and tyranny” similar to the May 25 events.

Sources said once the date of the march would be announced, a number of strategies would be implemented simultaneously. It was also decided that the party chapters in the federal capital and nearby areas will be activated for the protest, as activists from these areas could stay for longer periods in the city and spend more time in the protest.

It was also decided that Imran Khan will also address conventions in Peshawar and Faisalabad divisions while giving responsibilities and targets to the party office-bearers.

Strategies to deal with possible use of violence by government discussed

According to a statement issued by PTI, Imran Khan urged the people to come out in droves against inflation and economic meltdown.

Later, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhary said issuing arrest warrants for Imran Khan was a cowardly step by the government.

Earlier, speaking at a press conference, Vice President Dr Shireen Mazari said that the ‘cipher’ was a reality.

The former minister said that although the word ‘threat’ was not used in the cipher, the contents of the communique were threatening.

She alleged that the parties in the coalition government were used to hearing such language so they could not sense the threat in the cipher.

“In the National Security Committee meeting, it was agreed that the decision to visit Russia was a collective [move] rather than by Imran Khan’s alone. In the audio leak, it was confirmed that the cipher came on March 7 and it was also confirmed that if Imran Khan would be voted out, through the no-confidence motion, Pakistan will be forgiven,” she claimed.

She claimed PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz lied that the cipher did not exist. She also said that leaking the audio of former prime minister Imran Khan was a violation of the Official Secrets Act and legal action could be taken against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for allegedly making the audio public.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2022