LAHORE – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) displayed a strong show of power atMinar-e-Pakistan on Sunday, as thousands of party supporters and workersfrom all over the country gathered at the ground.

Imran Khan addressing the crowd on Sunday stated that inhabitants of Lahorehave never disappointed him while vowing to fight for people of Pakistantill the last drop of his blood. He disclosed his 11-point agenda leadingtowards Naya [new] Pakistan.“Ask yourself why Pakistan had been created”, Khan asked charged crowdwhile adding at the same time that Pakistan was created on the model ofMadina.

Apprising attendants about frisking of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasiat US airport, he stated that if country’s premier undergoes through suchhumiliation then how would be a common Pakistani would be treated in theworld.“The point I am making is, that we were supposed to be a country who had totell the world what the justice and humanity is”, stated Imran.

“Pakistan’s loan volume doubled during Zardari’s era. The same augmented toRs27000 bn from Rs6000bn during Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s currenttenure”, he claimed.“The country which is under debts loses its freedom, you become enslaved tothe one you are indebted to even without conquering the country”, he stated.

“We are on crossroads today. On one end lies disrespect and on the otherlies dignity. Pakistan is the second country with most number of out of theschool children, after Nigeria”, Imran told participants.He lamented that today’s Pakistan is neither the vision of Quaid-i-Azam norAllama Iqbal.Imran, who earlier dubbed it a “Tsunami plus show”, expressed his gratitudeto the participants for turning out in large numbers to witness the“historic” gathering.

“Whenever I gave a call to you, you never disappointed me,” he told thecrowd.“The Pakistan that Quaid-i-Azam wanted would afford equal rights to allcitizens including the minorities, where the Hindu community, Sikhs, andChristians would be equal citizens. This country was to be formed on themodel 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 byway of his own example. The Muslim nation then ruled the entire world for700 years but as soon as the royal system of kingdoms was established, thepoor became poorer and the rich became richer.”

Pointing to the foreign debt situation, he said the country is approachinga disaster. “We don’t have money to pay back loans and we’re taking loansto pay back loans.”Lamenting the state of healthcare in the country, Imran recounted his latemother’s battle with cancer and how it spurred him to build Shaukat KhanumCancer Hospital.“When my mother was diagnosed with cancer, I found out for the first timethat Pakistan did not have treatment for cancer,” he said, as he recalledhow the tragedy changed his life forever.

It was then that I learned, there were two [divisions] in our society: therich, who could afford to travel abroad for expensive treatment, and thepoor, who watched their loved ones die helpless, he narrated.“It was then that I decided to enter politics, to make a just and equalPakistan.” “Remember this, an indebted country can never really be free,”he added.

Recalling his party’s struggle, Imran said people used to mock them. “Infirst election, we got none, in second election we got one seat. But today,we are the largest party in Pakistan. Time will prove that no one candefeat PTI.”Laying out the 11-point agenda which, according to him, will help bring“one system of justice, reduce poverty and elevate the living standards ofthe poor”, Imran started with education.

“First point: No country can ever flourish without emphasising on theeducation.. All the Asian Tigers educated their children, the men and thewomen,” he said.“3.5 crore children study in government schools. Half of Punjab’s budget isbeing spent on Lahore [alone].I ask Shehbaz Sharif who’s ruling Punjab for 10 years, how manyinternational-level universities did he establish?”

Shah Mahmood Qureshi addresses PTI rally said: “This country sawdictatorship, all kinds of ups and downs.. People gave a chance to PPP fourtimes, elected Nawaz Sharif three times, but is there any change?”“Did people’s lives get any better after repeatedly giving a chance to PPPor PML-N? Now for once, give a chance to PTI and see the difference,” hesaid.