The PTI is all set to begin its Jail Bharo Tehreek (court arrest drive) today (Wednesday) from Lahore which former prime minister Imran Khan says is aimed to counter the “attack” on the party’s fundamental rights and the economic “meltdown”.
In a series of tweets on Wednesday, party chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan said: “Today we start our Jail Bharo campaign for Haqeeqi Azadi for two main reasons.
“One, it is a peaceful, non-violent protest against the attack on our constitutionally-guaranteed fundamental rights. We are facing sham FIRs and NAB cases, custodial torture, attacks on journalists and social media people.”
Second, Imran went on, the drive was against economic meltdown “brought on by cabal of crooks who have money laundered billions in looted wealth and gotten NROs for themselves while crushing the people, especially the poor and middle class, under the burden of spiralling inflation and rising unemployment”.
Separately, in a video message shared on PTI’s official Twitter account, the ex-premier urged people to take to the streets for “true freedom”.
“Actually, this campaign will take you to a free and happy Pakistan. And this will only happen when the state protects your fundamental rights,” he said, adding that the Jail Bharo Tehreek “is the name of jihad”.
Imran also said that the more people participated in the drive, the faster Pakistan would achieve “true freedom”.