Setback To Imran Khan As Hamza Shahbaz Retains Punjab CM Post, PTI Supporters Stage Massive Protests

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters took to the streets of Karachi Friday night after party Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan in a public address called for peaceful protests against the  ‘surprising’ victory of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shahbaz, reported news agency ANI. 

“A massive protest erupted in Karachi’s Shahrah-e-Faisal as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters took to the streets to demonstrate their frustration against the Punjab Assembly deputy speaker’s ruling to re-elect Hamza Shehbaz as Punjab chief minister,” tweeted The Express Tribune, reported ANI

“Salutations to you Karachi people, it is impossible to defeat your determination. I told the leadership in Lahore that there are thousands of people who are determined to go to CM House and Bilal House. Patalgah, my application has been approved for hearing. We will give our next action plan tomorrow. President PTI Karachi,” tweeted PTI Karachi as soon as the protests broke out.

Shahbaz’s victory has surprised many, as his party PML-N, did not have a majority in the Assembly after key by-elections this week.

“Everyone is now looking to the Supreme Court (SC). Parliament has the power of morality, not the army, democracy is based on morality,” said Imran Khan after the results were declared, reported ANI.

Khan also hit out at Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari, charged with allegations of ‘horse-trading’ ahead of the Punjab Chief Minister (CM) election.

“Asif Zardari, the famous bandit of the country, has been robbing the country for thirty years. Funeral of democracy is taken out by Zardari when he uses the money of people of Sindh to buy souls,” Khan was quoted as saying by ANI.

Meanwhile, the protests against bulldozing of majority voting rights in the Punjab Assembly has spread to other places like Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Multan, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Gujranwala and Bahawalpur.

(With ANI inputs)