PTI resumes long march today after brief pause

PTI general secretary Asad Umar updated on the long march’s resumption and said that the convoy has departed from Lahore.

Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Elahi directed the provision of full security in all cities of the province to the long march participants.

He said that snipers will be deployed on the rooftops of the buildings in the cities included in the convoy’s route, while 15,000 cops will be on duty for a dual-layered security fence. Moreover, the convoy will be monitored through drones and CCTV cameras.

The chief minister said that “no compromise” can be made on the security arrangements. He ordered the authorities concerned to ensure bullet proof shield on the rostrum placed on the lead container and strict compliance with the security plan.

The aim of Imran Khan is to spread hatred and chaos in the country, says Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb.

She lamented Thursday that money being used by PTI Chairman Imran Khan for protests, could better be used for rehabilitation of flood affected people.

In a statement, she criticised the PTI chair “for trying to create anarchy in the country through riots and disorder”, Radio Pakistan reported.

She said educational institutes are closed and people are facing trouble visiting hospitals due to the PTI protests.

“It would be better if Imran Khan had established new schools and hospitals during his four-year tenure instead of closing them for his protests,” she said.

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry shared that PTI Chairman Imran Khan will address party supporters at 4:30pm via a video link.

PTI leader Fayyazul Hassan Chohan said the party’s long march will be resum from Wazirabad, where it paused due to the attack on PTI chair Imran Khan’s life by “cowards”.

“We shouldn’t let the spirit of this person, who is standing for the nation for 26 years, break,” Chohan said.

He said that the “imported rulers” can’t avoid public anger no matter what they do.

The Standing Committee of Cabinet on Law and Order (SCCLO) of Punjab Wednesday decided to form a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the attack on PTI Chairman Imran Khan in Wazirabad last week.

Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Environment Protection and Cooperatives Muhammad Basharat Raja chaired the meeting through video-link from Rawalpindi. Chief Minister’s Adviser Home Umer Sarfraz Cheema, Chief Secretary Punjab Abdullah Khan Sumbal and other officials participated in the meeting from the civil secretariat.

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PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that the participants of long march would not create obstacles to the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman (MBS).

He said in a statement that Mohamed bin Salman would discuss the prospects of Saudi investment in Pakistan, oil refinery and other projects, which were launched during the PTI government’s tenure.

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