PESHAWAR: Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser on Monday claimed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf was not encouraging anti-army slogans.

Speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club, he said preparations for the long march on Islamabad were underway and caravans from across Khyber Pakthunkhwa would reach Islamabad.

“We will never defame the Pak Army,” Mr Qaiser said. He insisted slogans against the institutions could be an act of individuals.

He was flanked by leaders of Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, including Maulana Gul Naseeb and Maulana Shujaul Mulk.

As part of preparations for the long march, Mr Qaiser said PTI’s leadership at the provincial level would arrange political gatherings in Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan and Swabi.

He expressed the hope that FIR would be registered in the assassination attempt on PTI chief Imran Khan in light of the Supreme Court directives.

Speaking at the presser, Shujaul Mulk alleged the assassination attempt on Imran Khan was planned in consultation with Pakistan Democratic Movement.

However, he said the PDM was giving it a religious colour. He further said JUI-P would fully participate in the PTI’s long march from KP.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2022