Imran Khan announces end of PTI protests

Published December 17, 2014
Imran Khan addressing PTI supporters in Islamabad. -DawnNews Screengrab
Imran Khan addressing PTI supporters in Islamabad. -DawnNews Screengrab

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday decided to end their countrywide sit-in protests, DawnNews reported.

“Due to the situation in the country right now, we have decided to end our protests,” PTI Chairman Imran Khan told party supporters in Islamabad.

The decision was made by the PTI core committee to end the four-month long sit-in protests.

Imran Khan said that the decision had been made in light of the terrorist attack on a school in Peshawar and said that the country needed national unity.

Tuesday's terrorist attack left 141 people dead, including 132 children.

Read also: Militant siege of Peshawar school ends, 141 killed

“I have never seen an atrocity like this in my entire life...I cannot even comprehend how someone could kill children like this,” he said.

“If someone killed my children like this, I would seek to avenge it as well,” Imran said.

When speaking about attending the All Parties Conference (APC) headed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Peshawar today, he said that it had to be done for the country's interest.

“I initially was hesitant to go to the meeting with Nawaz Sharif, but decided that it had to be done in the interest of the nation,” Imran Khan said.

“During the past few months I have seen the people of Pakistan wake up and rise for their rights...We held historic protest rallies in Pakistan with record numbers of people attending,” the PTI chairman said.

However, he said that the party would continue to fight for 'justice' and insisted that a judicial commission had to be constituted to investigate alleged rigging during the 2013 elections.

Imran Khan also said that if the judicial commission finds rigging to have taken place, then the prime minister would have to resign.

The PTI, along with Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), had launched a campaign against the government of PM Nawaz Sharif in August, demanding that he resign over alleged rigging in last years polls.

Meanwhile, PTI workers expressed their disapproval of Imran Khan's announcement to end the protests.

Party workers refused to leave Islamabad’s D-Chowk, while some blocked the PTI chairman’s vehicle while it was leaving the protest site.

APP adds: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif welcomed the announcement by Imran Khan to end his party's sit-in .

“I welcome Imran Khan's announcement of ending his 'Dharna'. This step will strengthen the war against terrorism,” he said.

The prime minister said the reservations of the PTI regarding the general election would be removed.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...