ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan announced on Saturday that his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party will lead an anti-government march to Islamabad in the last week of May, as he seeks early elections.
After weeks of political turmoil, Khan was removed from power on April 10 in a no-confidence vote by the political parties that formed a new government after his ouster.
Khan has refused to recognize the new government headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and demanded early elections.
“We have decided today to issue the call (for the march to Islamabad) in the last week of May,” he said in a video message. “We will issue this call to every Pakistani, not just the PTI.”
The ex-prime minister said his party will launch preparations for the long march on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr and is expecting a “sea of people” to show up for the protest in the Pakistani capital.
“I would like to urge our youngsters, especially, that you have to come out,” he said. “You have to give the message to the whole world that Pakistan is alive. You have to carry flags and come out,” he added.
“This will tell the world that Pakistan’s decisions will be taken by the people of Pakistan.”
Khan has been alleging that his removal was influenced by the US and that groups opposed to his rule had colluded with Washington.
Both the US and current Pakistani government have denied the claims.