The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced a countrywide protest on March 2 against ‘manipulation’ in the general elections 2024.
The announcement comes after the PTI leaders held a meetings with party founder Imran Khan in Adiala Jail. Though the ImranKhan-founded party dominated the February 8 vote, it has been crying foul.
"Our seats were stolen with just a stroke of pen, ” PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub said while addressing a press conference after a meeting former PM Imran.
He added: “There was a massive rigging in the polls. Returning officers reduced the PTI seats. We along with several other parties will protest against rigging which has no match in the history of Pakistan.”
He continued: “Last night, our seat in Lodhran was snatched during recounting. We will fight against this until our last breath.
“We will go to the courts. We will protest in the assemblies and we will also mobilise the public … because the nation gave the mandate to Imran Khan.”
“Our leader has taught us to fight till the last ball and our jihad is for the truth. This is why the people of Pakistan have given us a majority. “Other political parties will join US protest.,”
The PTI leader also announced the party nominated Amir Dogar and Junaid Khan for the post of National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker respectively
In a separate media talk outside Adiala Jail, another PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat said the party founder issued directives to stage protests across the country on Saturday (March 2). He said that PTI-backed elected members will go to the assembly to take oath on February 29.
He claimed that Imran Khan would write to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) per the party's narrative. He said during a meeting with the former prime minister in jail party affairs came under discussion.
Addressing the media outside the jail, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser said: “We have a one-point agenda and that is free and fair polls.”
He added: “We will continue our struggle according to the law and Constitution.”. He urged people to join the PTI protest on Saturday.