Imran Khan 'directs' supporters to hold countrywide rallies, avoid confrontation

• Khan says he's ready to hold negotiations with anybody.
• "No illegal act should be committed,” says PTI founder.
• Incarcerated politico says studying books on various topics.
  

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has directed his party leadership to hold countrywide rallies after getting permission from the local administration and avoid confrontation, sources told Geo News on Wednesday.

As per the sources, the former prime minister said this in a meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in the Adiala jail.

Without giving a date, Gandapur had earlier this week announced that his party was going to hold its next public gathering in Islamabad in the coming days, come what may.

"No one can stop us [from staging a rally]," Gandapur had said while addressing the PTI public gathering in KP's Swabi held to mark the one-year imprisonment of Khan. "I'm announcing the next power show in Islamabad as the chief minister."

While discussing the national political situation, Khan said he was ready to hold negotiations with anybody within the ambit of the law and Constitution, said the sources. He also demanded returning of their "stolen" mandate.

The sources said he directed the party to hold rallies across the country after taking permission and also instructed to not to indulge in a fight. “No illegal act should be committed,” he ordered.

The PTI founder said he had no problem being in jail as he was studying books on various topics, the sources quoted him as saying.

Meanwhile, Gandapur affirmed that they would hold rallies across the country.

During the meeting, the KP chief minister also proposed forming a committee to address complaints regarding good governance and corruption. "Such a committee should be constituted that holds free and transparent investigation,” he said, as per the sources.

The CM asked the ex-PM to suggest names for the committee members.

The sources said name of Special Assistant to KP Chief Minister on Anti-Corruption Muhammad Musaddiq Abbasi was included in the committee on the PTI founder’s instruction.