The war of the words between the ruling PML-N government and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) continued on Friday with PTI Chairman Imran Khan saying the party would make Pakistan the country it was "meant to be".

"Pakistan was created in the name of Islam," he said, addressing a public gathering in Peshawar.

"This is a 'jihad' for Pakistan's future... The state of Madina was based on justice," he said.

A decision will be made on Nov 2, the PTI chief said, referring to the party's planned lockdown of the capital.

Imran Khan, during the party's Raiwind march, threatened to shut down Islamabad after Muharram if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did not present himself for accountability.

"On one side will be the PTI and the people of Pakistan, and on the other, thieves," he said.

"On one side, Nawaz Sharif and other big thieves like Asif Zardari, Altaf Hussain, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Asfandyar Wali, and on the other side, PTI and 'Naya Pakistan'."

"It will be decided on Nov 2 whether this will be a Pakistan of thieves or the Pakistan of Quaid-i-Azam and Iqbal's vision."

The PTI chief chanted slogans of 'Go Nawaz, go,' before a cheering crowd.

'Imran was sympathetic to Taliban'

PML-N MNA Daniyal Aziz alleged during a press conference that Imran Khan was sympathetic to the Taliban.

"Imran's sympathies with the Taliban are not new, he was known as Taliban Khan and actively blocked Nato supply routes which were vital for the war on terror," said the ruling party's representative.

He added that Imran was not confident in the ability of the Pakistan Army to tackle the militant threat and wanted to open Taliban offices in all the major cities of Pakistan.

"There are plenty of videos online of Imran speaking against the army and the generals, and these videos are vital on social media," claimed Aziz.

Earlier today, an Anti-Terrorism Court directed police to implement its orders in relation to the arrest warrants for PTI chief Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehrik chief Tahirul Qadri in a case pertaining to an attack on Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters in 2014 during the PTI and PAT's Islamabad sit-ins.

Eyewitnesses said nearly 400 PTI and PAT workers had stormed the PTV building and forced its staff to take two of the state broadcaster’s flagship channels — PTV News and PTV World — off the air on Sept 1, 2014.

The SC on Friday also changed the date of a hearing on the Panamagate petitions filed against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his family members and others by the PTI, JI and other petitioners to Nov 1, a day before the PTI's planned protest.

The case had earlier been adjourned for two weeks.

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...