ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday claimed that the government’s ‘plan’ to increase gas prices by up to 27 per cent was cut-short by pressure from the party’s ongoing sit-in in the federal capital.

Addressing participants of the sit-in at D-Chowk, he said that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was in process to increase the gas prices by up to 27 percent but Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif refused to do the same due to the PTI’s pressure.

“The nation should thank participants of this sit-in as it was their pressure that Nawaz Sharif maintained the same prices of the gas,” said Khan in an apparent attempt to buoy his supporters who were sitting in 14 degrees cold of Islamabad.

“The government was thinking that we will call off the sit-in due to the harsh winter, but it was just a misunderstanding of the PML-N leadership because we will not leave the D-Chowk until getting the justice we deserve,” he said.

“Nawaz Sharif can do everything to secure his position as we are not demanding anything wrong but we are demanding our right of justice,” the PTI chief added.

“Prime Minister Sharif should resign due to increase in the circular debt by up to Rs580 billion so far,” Khan claimed.

“We are ready to announce reelections in Khyber Pakhthunkhwa, if someone has concerns regarding the results of the May 11 elections in the province,” he challenged.

The PTI chief also criticised the government due to its failure regarding the protection of minorities across the country.

He said that Allah Rakha, a member of the Christian community died due to the torture of police at the Green Town Police Station in Lahore today.

The PTI chairman alleged that the PML-N leadership was making money on the ongoing development projects in the country.

“We will construct 70 per cent schools for girls in KP, because I believe that education is important for girls to recognise their rights,” Khan vowed.

“Do you think that the Model Town tragedy on June 17 was possible in a real democracy,” he questioned.