LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is ready to respect the masses’ votes that constitute real democracy, either through dialogue with the government or show of public power, said the party’s Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Speaking at the launch of PTI’s Azadi Razakars programme at Aiwan-i-Iqbal on Monday, Qureshi challenged the PML-N government to test its might on Nov 30 if it did not want a dialogue. He said the PTI’s sit-in in Islamabad would continue till it achieved its objectives – respect for masses’ votes through Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation.

“Pakistan witnessed a big change in 1970 and will see another in 2015,” he added.

He further said many PML-N supporters were of the view that the PTI sit-in would end in Muharram but it continued and would go on till the people achieved their objectives. He said the sit-in was not aimed at promoting an individual but restoring the respect for masses’ votes. He said democracy would be strengthened by ensuring free and fair elections under the supervision of an independent and impartial Election Commission.

The PTI vice chairman reminded Finance Minister Ishaq Dar of his promises about constituting a judicial commission and investigating “rigging” in the general elections within 45 days. He claimed Dar had promised legal issues would be tackled by promulgating ordinances that would later be taken up by the National Assembly for legislation. He also reminded the minister that he had said the commission would be assisted by a joint investigation team comprising representatives of the Military Intelligence and Inter-Services Intelligence.

“Now, Mr Dar is trying to run away from his decisions made in negotiations with the PTI leadership but the masses will not let him go anywhere,” he added.

Stating that PTI Chairman Imran Khan was neither a traditional political leader nor a ‘trader’, Qureshi said a big change could not be brought about by salaried people, but the civil society as a whole. Bucking up volunteers, he said they should continue their struggle to bring down the leaders with a “fake mandate” and create a ‘new Pakistan’. He stressed the volunteers should go door to door and motivate masses to attend the Nov 30 sit-in in Islamabad.

The PTI leader also requested that the next meeting of the Azadi Razakars be called in Multan, which he would host and sit on the floor to express that he was not a Makhdoom but a ‘khadim’ (servant).

PTI Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry, General Secretary Dr Yasmin Rashid, Information Secretary Andaleeb Abbas, Adeel Hashmi and others also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, November 11th , 2014