Imran threatens to launch protest if Gilani stays on

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said his party will launch the country’s largest protest against Yousuf Raza Gilani if he refuses to accept his disqualification. Imran acknowledged Gilani’s right to appeal against the court verdict and said that the party will respond only after the entire legal process is completed. “We will wait until the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) completes the process of Gilani’s disqualification, said Imran, adding his party doesn’t consider him the prime minister of Pakistan. He was talking to reporters after meeting of the PTI’s Central Executive Committee. Imran announced that the PTI would stage a rally on May 6 on Islamabad’s Constitution Avenue in front of the Supreme Court and the Parliament  House to express solidarity with Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry. He accused the PPP of conducting a vilification against the judiciary in general and the chief justice in particular. But striking a divergent stance, Imran refused to join PML-N’s anti-government agitation in response to Nawaz Sharif’s call saying Sharif has no credibility. He betrayed the opposition alliance and participated in 2008 elections while other parties boycotted them. Later in 2009 Sharif ended long march for restoration of sacked judges at Gujranwala on way to Islamabad from Lahore on a call from army chief without consulting other parties, Imran added. The PTI chairman, however, said he could consider talking to Sharif for coordinating movement against the government only after the PML-N members resign from assemblies at the centre and in Punjab. Gilani was convicted on April 26 with contempt of court charges for not writing a letter to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. He has refused to step down while contending that he still has the right to appeal which he will make after the court comes out with complete order of conviction. Imran further announced that a three-member committee consisting of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, President Javed Hashmi and Dr Arif Alvi has been formed to hold talks with leaders of different political parties regarding future course of action.