New Delhi: Imran Khan isn’t taking his ouster sitting down. He is back to ‘what he knows best’ — street politics. Only now, he has threatened to be ‘even more dangerous’.
In his first public appearance since being removed as PM, Imran Khan spoke at a rally in Peshawar on Wednesday, “I was not dangerous when I was part of the government but I will be more dangerous now.”
The Washington Post said in a report, “Imran Khan laying the groundwork for a political comeback, drawing thousands of supporters to a late-night rally in the northwest of Peshawar.”
“Packed in a large field with a huge stage erected at one end, Khan’s supporters waited for hours, milling excitedly in the dark, waving flags and chanting,” the report said.
They said why the sky is empty …..i replied humbly that the stars have shifted down to earth to accompany the Moon ( Imran Khan) #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/33TJYivBSC
— Abdullah Rajpoot (@Abdulla33554240) April 14, 2022
The former PM had, in a tweet few days ago, said that Pakistan was created as an independent, sovereign state.
‘Fight for freedom’
Imran Khan said Pakistan became an independent state in 1947 but the struggle for freedom starts again today against a foreign conspiracy of regime change. “It is always the people of the country who defend their sovereignty & democracy.”
Imran Khan said that the new Shehbaz Sharif government, which he referred to as ‘imported’, would not be accepted. He said this time people did not celebrate this ouster and mass protests were held.
“America has insulted Pakistan by imposing this new government on us. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was sacked through a conspiracy by the USA but this is not the Pakistan of 1970. This is the new Pakistan,” he said at the rally.
Imran Khan also alleged that India and Israel celebrated his ouster, and also questioned Pakistan’s courts that opened for a late night hearing.
Also read: Imran has damaged the idea of Pakistan. Don’t expect it to turn into a normal country soon
Imran Khan knows street politics
Huge crowd gathered at Imran Khan’s Peshawar rally where a young girl said, ‘I Love you Imran Khan’, which went viral on social media.
Pakistani journalist Anas Mallick said Imran Khan has been in opposition for 22 years and in government for 3.5 years, adding that the former PM know how to be in opposition and also do street politics.
In a video clip showing a huge crowd at Khan’s rally, one of the Twitter users Syed Azan Shabbar said, “Imran Khan was right if he leaves the government he will be more dangerous for opposition and today we can clearly see that.”
Former diplomat Zafar Hilaly said, “Awesome sight— IK’s Peshawar Jalsa. Nobody else can draw such a sea of humanity. Some say the TLP could but not really, those school boys are of a another mindset and live on another planet. The people here are of this world, solid Pathans, who love Khan.”
Asfandyar Bhittani said Mammoth jalsa in Peshawar validates that they can and will rig the elections but they can’t rig a landslide.
I said the other day that they can & will rig the elections, but they cant rig a landslide
Mammoth jalsa in Peshawar validates this. Even after near total coverage blackout, Imran Khan's message is not only reaching the masses but also resonating with them #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/OFuInKLNq8
— Asfandyar Bhittani (@BhittaniKhannnn) April 14, 2022
Member of PTI Shireen Mazari said, “What a jalsa in Peshawar! Phenomenal! This is the start — we will not accept a #CrimeMinister brought into power thru a US-engineered regime change backed by dark shadows of local abettors. Elections are the only solution – let the ppl decide”
This is Peshawar's ruling in favour of an independent, sovereign, and dignified Pakistan. This is the People's mandate for their Kaptaan and it shall be enforced through general elections. #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/BZXjW7Lun4
— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 13, 2022