ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Former Prime Minister Imran Khan announced Tuesday to start long march against the government from Lahore’s Liberty Chowk on Friday, according to sources, which will likely enter Pakistan capital Islamabad.
Earlier this month, Shehbaz Sharif government allocated Rs 410 million to tackle Imran Khan’s long march, amid Pakistan’s dwindling economy and a brunt of devasting floods.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan made the announcement during a press conference in Peshawar.
“I am inviting the entire nation,” he said, as Dunya News quoted. “People belonging to all walks of life including labourers and others should participate in the long march for the real freedom of the country.”
He said that the people will gather at Liberty Chowk at 11am from where the long march will start and from “towards Islamabad”.
Addressing the ongoing economic crisis, Khan said his government has helped stabilize the country and fought with coronavirus crisis, holding the current government responsible for
“It is my prediction that a sea of the masses will join the long march, and now the people will decide who will lead this country because Pakistan is in a critical phase and now we have to decide whether we want real freedom or slavery,” he exclaimed.
Continuing to take a dig at the government, Imran said “I got the news that the rulers in Islamabad are shivering with my long march as additional police personnel from Sindh have been summoned to the centre.”
Assuring to stage a long march peacefully, Imran warned that when millions of people will join the long march, the police cannot do anything.
______________
KEEP READING:
- Pakistan Debt Reaches Record High, Jumping to Nearly PKR60 trillion
- Pakistan Budget Needs Additional Measures to Meet Goals: IMF
- Pakistan Seeks Qatar Gas amid Energy Crunch, Costly Fuel Imports
_____________
Earlier this month, Shehbaz Sharif government allocated Rs 410 million to tackle Imran Khan’s long march, amid Pakistan’s dwindling economy and a brunt of devasting floods.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved an initial budget of over Rs 410 million to deal with the participants of the long march with an iron hand, according to reports.
“The ECC approved a supplementary gran of Rs 410.2 million in favor of the Ministry of Interior for expenses related to law and order,” said the Finance Ministry.
The budget is an estimated cost of preparation to deal with the protesters, including the deployment of 30,000 strong forces, meals, transportation, anti-riot gears, and surveillance of the protesters.
Of total Rs 410 million, Rs 259 million is approved for hiring vehicles and containers, Rs 35 million for food, Rs 31.2 million for fuel, and Rs 18 million for anti-riot gears, as ANI reported.
Meanwhile, Rs 2.5 million has been sanctioned for arranging the residence of this personnel for five days and another Rs 64.4 million for the purchase and installation of security cameras and other related equipment.
