Pakistani Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday said that the federal government is prepared to deploy the army to deal with any unrest in former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s ‘long march’ on Friday, after the Election Commission (EC) barred him from standing in elections or holding any office for five years.
“Yes, surely we will call the army under Article 245 [of the Constitution]. We will also call the rangers. Police and FC will form the first line [of defence] and they will be armed with tear gas [shells] and rubber bullets to control the mob. And if any weakness appears anywhere, the rangers and the army will be there to support,” Sanaullah said during a talk show.
Election commission of Pakistan has found Imran Khan guilty of corrupt practices. He now stands disqualified. He who would spread lies about alleged corruption of his political opponents has been caught red handed.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) October 21, 2022
Describing Khan’s supporters as a “gang,” Sanaullah said that failing to deal with the march would mark “the defeat of Pakistan.” He also went to the extent of hinting that Khan could be arrested. “We will go to the last mile. If he could bring people from the entire country, we too can call people from the entire country,” he stressed, noting that the protest is expected to attract at least 15,000 people.
However, the Supreme Court has rejected the government’s request to stop the march, with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial stating that “No one can be deprived of the right to protest.” He instead advised the incumbent government to hold talks with Khan.
“I’m announcing that the long march will start on Friday from Liberty Chowk”-@ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/LdxTcxPs6G
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 25, 2022
The minister’s threat comes a day after the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, Imran Khan, announced that his party will begin a long march on Friday, with plans to enter Islamabad by 4 November. He has doubled down on his calls for fresh elections, continuing to describe the current administration as an “imported government.” In fact, he has warned that this week’s march could herald the beginning of a “soft revolution,” saying he expects it to be “one of the biggest protest movements in Pakistan’s history.”
Khan announced the march in response to the Election Commission (EC) unanimously disqualifying him from holding public office for five years, under Article 63(1)(p), for making “false statements and incorrect declarations” in the Toshakhana case.
These are the scenes of just one Jalsa, just imagine when all cities will come together for the #LongMarch headed to Islamabad! #کپتان_ہم_آرہے_ہیں pic.twitter.com/TdoXfgEIBU
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 26, 2022
The EC had accused Khan of falsifying information related to presents he received from foreign dignitaries during international visits and found that he illegally sold state gifts at a higher price in Dubai and concealed assets during his time as PM.
Back in April, incumbent PM Shebaz Sharif claimed that he could prove that Khan had sold items amounting to $750,000, including a wristwatch from the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman. Additionally, government spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb claimed that Khan had sold a necklace, ring, gold Kalashnikov, and a jeep for a combined total of $1 million, despite depositing just $100,000 for them in the Toshakhana, the state treasury.
There were also claims that both Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, retained 112 gifts worth over $1 million despite paying a meagre $200,000 for them.
Could this be probably be Faisal Vawda’s last press conference as PTI leader? Imran Khan may come very strongly about this. This looked as an attempt to scare people off and discourage them so that they shouldnt join the long march.
— Shiffa Z. Yousafzai (@Shiffa_ZY) October 26, 2022
The former leader argued in his petition that the EC does not hold the power to make decisions about disqualification and corrupt practices. To this end, he has requested the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to declare the EC’s decision null and void.
“There are two ways of changing. You can have a soft revolution through ballot box or it the other way, which causes destruction in a society. But I just believe that we are now on the brink. Either we are going to change peacefully or I'm afraid it will lead to chaos in our country,” Khan warned.
On one hand, the Govt firstly shared/leaked Toshakhana details of what Imran Khan received & sold while on the other side, on April 28th turned down Right to Information request for similar details of gifts received by head of states since 1947, terming the info as classified. pic.twitter.com/k5TJiBpUe0
— Riaz ul Haq (@Riazhaq) October 22, 2022
The newly-appointed Cabinet Division has sought permission to make the details public since Khan was ousted via a no-confidence vote on 10 April. The Federal Investigation Agency also launched an inquiry into the matter.
According to Pakistani laws, expensive state gifts must be deposited in the Toshakhana. According to the Toshakhana (Maintenance and Administration) Rules, public officials are allowed to purchase any gifts they receive after paying an amount that is decided by the Toshakhana Evaluation Committee. However, undervaluing the gifts to allow them to be retained by officials has been a common occurrence in Pakistan’s history. In the past, several leaders, including former President Asif Ali Zardari and ex-PMs Nawaz Sharif and Yousuf Raza Gillani, have been accused of retaining public gifts without paying the appropriate amount.
Incumbent PM Shehbaz Sharif, however, has described Khan as a “certified thief,” “fraudster,” and the “biggest liar in Pakistan’s history.”
Khan has been mired in controversy after controversy over the past year.
Imran Khan disqualified for 5 years in a unanimous dscn by the Election commission of Pakistan. Criminal proceedings to be initiated against him. Development comes in even as Pakistan is set to go for elections next year.
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) October 21, 2022
In May, the Islamabad police charged him with instigating arson and violence during the Azadi March in the capital.
In August, the EC accused Khan of receiving illegal foreign funding from 34 foreign nationals and 351 foreign companies from several countries. The panel said that the PTI had links to 12 “unknown” bank accounts and was a “willing recipient” of $2,121,500.
On directions of ECP complaint can be processed for trial of committing corrupt practices and after completion of trial he can be sentences and convicted up to 3 years with fine only.
— M Azhar Siddique 💎🇵🇰 (@AzharSiddique) October 21, 2022
In the same month, Magistrate Ali Javed filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Khan under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act for threatening judges and police officials during a rally in Islamabad. He was also charged with being in contempt of court.
Special Prosecutor Raja Rizwan Abbasi argued that Khan’s remarks threatened to cause damage beyond physical injuries, asserting that the inflammatory statements were not by an “ordinary person” but by a former PM who could return to power and who has a significant following.
However, both charges were later dropped after Khan issued an apology.