Imran Khan made a marathon speech in front of a huge and charged crowd at Minar-e-Pakistan. He spent long time telling the fully responsive crowd the long history of PTI. He told his party workers, activists and supporters gathered in Lahore from all over Pakistan that he is different from others because he thinks big. He always dreamed big to achieve.
In his address, recalling his party’s struggle, Imran said people used to mock them. “In the first election, we got none; in the second election we got one seat. But today, we are the largest party in Pakistan. Time will prove that no one can defeat PTI.”
Imran Khan declared today’s gathering historic. He lamented that today’s Pakistan is neither the vision of Quaid-e-Azam nor Allama Iqbal. Speaking about the 11-point agenda to create a “Naya” (new) Pakistan, he said, “Ask yourself, why this country was made? Why, on this ground in 1940, did Quaid-e-Azam declare that we want Pakistan?” Pakistan, today, is contrary to Quaid and Allama Iqbal’s vision, he said.
“The Pakistan that Quaid-e-Azam wanted would afford equal rights to all citizens including the minorities, where the Hindu community, Sikhs, and Christians would be equal citizens. This country was to be formed on the model of Madina, where the basis of law was justice,” Imran said.
Quoting Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) example, the PTI chief said, “Prophet (PBUH) brought the entire Muslim nation towards truth and righteousness by way of his own example. The Muslim nation then ruled the entire world for 700 years but as soon as the royal system of kingdoms was established, the poor became poorer and the rich became richer.”
Pointing to the foreign debt situation, he said the country is approaching a disaster. “We don’t have money to pay back loans and we’re taking loans to pay back loans. Pakistan has the highest number of out-of-school children after Nigeria”, he noted.
Lamenting the state of healthcare in the country, Imran recounted his late mother’s battle with cancer and how it spurred him to build Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital.
“When my mother was diagnosed with cancer, I found out for the first time that Pakistan did not have treatment for cancer,” he said, as he recalled how the tragedy changed his life forever.
It was then that I learned there were two [divisions] in our society: the rich, who could afford to travel abroad for expensive treatment, and the poor, who watched their loved ones die helplessly. It was then that I decided to enter politics, to make a just and equal Pakistan. Remember this, an indebted country can never really be free, he added.
He said that we will make one Pakistan and defeat the mafias who created two Pakistan. We want one system for all citizens. We will bring a new system that will serve everyone not the few rich and powerful.
He told his supporters that he is not in politics for his own interests or to achieve his personal goals but to work for ordinary people. It is high time to come out and support his vision to make Naya Pakistan.
First published in acenews.com.pk on 30-04-18