ISLAMABAD — First ousted and now disqualified from contesting election, former prime minister Imran Khan on Friday gave the final call to the Pakistani nation, calling upon people to come out to protect their fundamental rights and win the “real freedom”.
In a brief recorded video message now circulating on social media, Khan said he would be put behind the bars in a fabricated case by the time this message would reach people. He said the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution and democracy had been buried. He said he might not get an opportunity to talk to people after this message therefore he would like to say a few things to people.
Khan said, “The Pakistani nation knows me for 50 years; I have been in the public for 50 years. I have never gone against the Constitution of Pakistan and never broke the law of Pakistan. Ever since I came into politics, I have always tried to do peaceful politics within the parameters set by the constitution for a peaceful protest.
“What’s is being done today, is not being done because I have violated any law; this is being done just because they want me to backtrack on the movement for real freedom. This is being done because they want me to accept the corrupt gang of thieves; the imported government that has been imposed on us.
HOT TOPICS: Imran Khan disqualified in Toshakhana case
“I am appealing to all of you that you will have to come out for your rights and for your real freedom. No nation is presented freedom in a plate. One has to wage a struggle, jihad, effort for freedom. And then God gives the gift of freedom to that nation. The time has come for you all to come out for your rights.”
عمران خان کی کال
pic.twitter.com/ikjaSlxFp1— Imran Khan (@ImranRiazKhan) October 21, 2022
Earlier in the day, Khan was disqualified from contesting election through a controversial verdict given by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the Toshakhana case. The ECP said Khan made “false statements and incorrect declaration”.
A five-member panel of the ECP announced the verdict, stating the PTI chairman has been disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.