SWABI: Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser on Saturday appealed to the people to actively participate in the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Nov 24 protest in Islamabad to help ‘achieve true freedom’ for them.

He made the call while addressing a public meeting held in Malikabad area to mobilise people for the protest called by the party’s founding chairman Imran Khan.

He said that the former prime minister had asked the whole nation to come out and join his caravan to ‘make Pakistan a true and sovereign state’.

Mr Qaiser insisted that the recent amendments made to the Constitution had weakened the parliament and the judiciary.

Says no more ‘legitimate’ cases there to keep Imran in jail

He said the PTI lawmakers were arrested and coerced to support the constitutional amendments.

He stressed that now was the time for the people to fight for the restoration of their fundamental rights and liberties.

“There is no legitimate case left to keep Imran Khan in prison,” he argued.

Mr Qaiser reiterated that political prisoners, including Imran Khan, must be released immediately, and the policies of retribution must cease.

He expressed concern over the hardships faced by the farmers, shutdown of industries and squeeze on investments, which he argued, were clear indicators of a failed economic policy of the government.

Qaiser called for the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Imran Khan, abandonment of the ‘policy’ of political revenge, returning the PTI its rightful mandate, the immediate restoration of the rule of law and the enforcement of the Constitution in its true spirit, re-establishing the supremacy of the Constitution and the judiciary to ensure accountability and justice in the country.

He also demanded the restoration of trade relations with Afghanistan, stressing the importance of regional cooperation for economic stability.

The MNA reaffirmed PTI’s unwavering commitment to continuing the struggle for the people’s rights and to doing everything possible to bring Pakistan out of its current crisis.

TOBACCO QUOTA: Tobacco growers on Saturday demanded of the purchasing companies to announce their quota for the upcoming year.

Speaking at a meeting held here on Saturday, they said the companies used to announce their quota in the first week of November through Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB), which gave the growers ample time to choose between cultivating tobacco or wheat crop.

The meeting was presided over by Kisan Board district president Kalid Khan.

Speaking on the occasion, Khalid Khan demanded that both the federal and provincial governments should play their due role in making the companies announce their quota immediately.

He said PTB should create a conducive atmosphere for the tobacco growers to earn their livelihood with dignity and honour.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2024