Latest updates on 'historic' PTI Islamabad rally

Reacting to PM Imran Khan's speech in Islamabad today, Sindh Information Minister and senior PPP leader Saeed Ghani said "goodbye" to the premier and said that today, the nation heard the "defeated, former prime minister Imran Khan" crying and ranting.

"It was not millions, but a few thousand people attended the funeral of his government," Ghani said. "As usual, he spoke nothing but lies."

"A look at the faced of PTI leaders was telling enough that everything is over," he said. "Bilawal will not let Imran Niazi run away."

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday revealed that "foreign elements" are involved in the attempts to topple his government and said, "some of our own people" are being used in this regard.

The premier was speaking during one of the "biggest" rallies in his party's history at the Parade Ground in Islamabad as the Opposition has geared up to oust the premier from office through the no-confidence motion.

He said that for months, "plotting and planning is being carried out to influence the foreign policy of Pakistan from outside."

"We know who is behind it," the premier said, adding that "there are a lot of things that will be revealed before the nation but at the right time."

PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz said that Imran Khan will be held accountable for using taxpayers’ money on public gatherings and criticised him for using the religious card to gain political mileage.

PM Imran deprived people of food, while inflation reached the highest levels in the country, she added.

Maryam also lashed out at him for abusing the Opposition leaders and delaying voting on the no-trust motion.

She took a swipe at the prime minister and said that "he is a coward" and added that the Opposition will "not let him run away."

The PML-N leader also said that her party "does not believe in the umpire but believes in the people of Pakistan."

Addressing the Amr-Bel-Maroof jalsa in Islamabad, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood said that the "entire nation is standing with Imran Khan."

He spoke about the corruption cases against PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and said that the buying and selling of people's consciences is not democracy.

"The people attending this rally today must support the truth and stand with Imran Khan," he said.

In another major development on the political front, a high-level delegation of PML-N will meet the leadership of PML-Q in the evening today, well-placed sources told Geo News.

Sources privy to the matter said that the meeting will be held at the residence of Chaudhry brothers in the federal capital.

Matters of mutual interest, the current political situation in the country, no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan and other issues will be discussed in the meeting, the sources added.

Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has reached the federal capital ahead of the crucial meeting while Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain is already in Islamabad.

ISLAMABAD: A special train brought half of the PTI supporters from Karachi to Islamabad as it arrived at Margala Station for participation in the party's major political power show in Parade Ground.

The train comprised 19 bogies at the time of departure from Karachi, but was split into two in Lahore through attachment with two different engines. One of these engines leading half of the bogies arrived in the federal capital while the second half will reach soon.

The authorities said that the special train have the capacity to bring around 1,000 people in total under normal circumstances but since there is political activity going on, the number of passengers can be greater. They said up to 1,500 people can be transported to Islamabad through this train.

Jamhoori Watan Party leader Shahzain Bugti on Sunday parted ways with the government while announcing his resignation as Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Reconciliation and Harmony in Balochistan.

The development comes after a meeting of the politician with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and PPP and PML-N lawmakers. Bilawal called on Bugti at his residence to seek his support for the vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“We stood with PM Imran Khan for three-and-a-half years and tried hard to bring a change in Balochistan,” Bugti said in a press conference flanked by Bilawal.

"Keeping the situation in the country in view, I announce to leave PM Imran Khan’s cabinet and resign [as a member of] federal government,” Bugti said, adding that he stands with PDM and will try to do his best for the people of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry thanked the media for extensive coverage of the ruling PTI's Amr-bel-Maroof rally.

Taking to Twitter, Fawad said there is still much time left for the rally to kick start but PTI flags are making rainbows on all the way leading to Islamabad.

Earlier, the minister said that over 43 representatives of international media were present at the Parade Ground to cover the event. "The entire Pakistani media is at Parade Ground for coverage," Fawad tweeted.

Moreover, he also appealed to the PTI workers to facilitate media representatives, workers and reporters in fulfilling their duties as the world has to see this "great rally" with the media's eye.

"The beauty of democracy is that we can tolerate criticism as well."

RAWALPINDI: Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad while responding to reports of blockage of Srinagar Highway, warned JUI-F's leaders and workers gathering in Islamabad for Monday's rally, to keep the thoroughfare open as per the Supreme Court's orders and avoid disturbing peace in the federal capital ahead or during PTI's rally at Parade Ground.

The minister, while addressing a press conference, said that there are 6,000 Rangers and FC personnel and 9,000 to 10,000 other forces' personnel available to ensure peace and security in Islamabad.

"The judicial orders and law will be followed no matter what outcome it produces," Rasheed said.

"You have the right to hold the rally but if you try to create a fuss, the Islamabad administration has a freehand to act upon the laws."

LAHORE: PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif has asked the people to “topple down this corrupt government to save the future of the nation.”

In a video message, the leader of the Opposition urged the masses to join the “Mehngai Mukao March” to get rid of PM Imran-led government.

He maintained that he wanted to convey an important message of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to the nation. It is a reality that inflation in Pakistan has reached the highest level in the regime of PM Imran Khan. He also criticised the PTI-led government over alleged worst corruption, poverty, unemployment and cruel behavior to the common man.