LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar said on Tuesday that the incarcerated founding chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has sent a message, asking the nation to be ready for elections by December 2024.

Talking to the media outside the anti-terrorism court, he said indeed there was a cost for holding fresh elections, but the exercise would help the nation get rid of the current predicament.

He announced the PTI founder would soon be releasing the schedule for party rallies.

The opposition leader said the PTI’s stance, from the beginning, had never been against the army.

He claimed that the former premier’s statements were being distorted.

Mr Bhachar said a new movement would begin on Aug 5, with the PTI leadership in Islamabad issuing a call for it.

He said Imran Khan does not believe in seeking personal revenge, but insists that those responsible for the nation’s current state would be held accountable.

The opposition leader came to the ATC to express solidarity with the under-trial leaders of the PTI.

Incarcerated PTI Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, on the occasion, said his production orders were issued twice, but powerful circles in the country prevented him from attending the Senate sessions.

The senator said the current system was in a “moral crisis”, and as long as the public’s desires were ignored, nothing will be resolved.

He praised Jamat-i-Isalmi Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman for revitalising his party and called on PTI workers to join the JI protest.

Chaudhry criticised, what he called misuse of the term “deal”, saying his party was only demanding a “positive dialogue”, not a deal.

He also accused Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz of misusing her status as a woman, claiming that women in the province were being ignored.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2024