Former prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan sent a passionate message from jail just a day before general elections.
In the message he urged his
supporters to make sure they come out and vote in huge numbers in tomorrows’
election and wait outside polling booths after casting their votes, as rival
political parties held large rallies to mark the end of the election campaign
period.
Pakistan goes to the polls on
Thursday with the jailing of popular politician Imran Khan, the winner of the
last national election.
Any large-scale gathering of
Khan's supporters near booths could raise tensions because of what they call a
military-backed crackdown on him and his party that has restricted campaigning.
Although the military denies interfering in politics.
In a message published on social
media on Wednesday, PTI leader said, “My Pakistanis, I have been sentenced to
24 years imprisonment for fighting for your Haqeeqi Azadi. Pakistan and I call
for you to dedicate only 24 hours!’’
He added, ``Encourage the maximum
number of people to vote, wait at the polling station...and then stay
peacefully outside the Returning Officer's office until the final results are
announced," said Khan via his handle on social media platform X,
accompanied by an undated photograph depicting him wearing simple black
clothing.’’
A post shared on X holds a photo claiming
the first image of Imran Khan after six months of his arrest. Khan's supporters
have disseminated his messages, including through AI-generated audio speeches,
from notes he has passed on through his lawyers during prison visits.
The political parties wrapped up
their campaigns late on Tuesday ahead of the quiet period mandated by Pakistani
electoral rules that prevent political campaigning the day before the election.
Electoral frontrunner Nawaz
Sharif led a huge rally in the eastern city of Kasur, with his brother, former
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is running in that constituency.
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