ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has accused PML-N leaders of having links with terrorists.

Minister for Information Pervez Rashid had alleged on Sunday that Imran Khan had links with terrorists, but according to the PTI chief, the PML-N leaders themselves are in league with terrorists.

Addressing the participants of his party’s sit-in here on Monday, Mr Khan said the local administration had been trying to create obstructions for PTI’s public meeting in Larkana on Nov 21.

“The PTI leaders in Larkana are making arrangements on their own land for the public meeting, but the district administration has registered an FIR against a local leader,” he said.

The PTI chief also accused the PML-N and PPP of continuously trying to harass supporters and workers taking part in public gatherings of their party across the country.

He alleged that PML-N leaders in Jhelum opened fire on PTI supporters on Sunday because they were chanting the ‘Go Nawaz Go’ slogan. “Is it democracy?”

He said the PTI would break the PML-N-PPP ‘partnership’. The two parties had been preparing Hamza Shahbaz, Maryam Nawaz and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as future rulers of the country, he added.

“I ask PML-N supporters, judiciary, ECP and officials of election tribunals what should I do to get justice following rigging in last year’s elections.”

Mr Khan said he would not give up his demand for punishment of people involved in vote-rigging in last year’s elections.

“I was aware that the PPP will create hurdles for PTI supporters in Larkana, but I tell Mr Zardari that I am coming to Larkana on Nov 21 to free poor people of interior Sindh,” he said.

“I don’t care about registration of FIRs against me. I am already a proclaimed offender. I will spend the night of Nov 29 in the container to welcome PTI supporters,” Mr Khan said.

PTI Information Secretary Dr Shireen Mazari also alleged that the PML-N leadership had links with banned militant organisations.

“Pervez Rashid showed doctored videos yesterday and I will show you some videos showing PML-N’s links with slain Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and some other banned organisations,” she said at a press conference.

Ms Mazari showed videos and photographs of PML-N workers attacking the Supreme Court building and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat leader Maulana Mohammad Ahmed Ludhianvi meeting the PM and former law minister of Punjab Rana Sanaullah.

“Pakistan is a signatory to UN conventions against terrorism, according to which sympathisers of militant organisations are considered their supporters. I ask the international community to force the PML-N to follow these conventions,” she added.

She said Imran Khan had supported the Zarb-i-Azb military operation and allegations levelled by the information minister against him were wrong.

The PTI distanced itself from the statements of Awami Muslim League chief and said, “Our position is non-violent and that has been conveyed to Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.”

Published in Dawn, November 18th , 2014