 "Imran Khan dismisses reports of any deal with Pak govt on Aug 14 march")
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan today dismissed reports of any deal struck with the government over his party's call for a million man march to Islamabad on August 14, the country's Independence Day.
The cricketer-turned-politician said there would be no agreement between his party and the Pakistan government over the key protest march.
"The time for talking is over. We have waited 14 months and have exhausted all rules within the law," said Khan, who is protesting over alleged rigging in last year's general election won by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's PML-N.
The Pakistan government last week decided to hand over Islamabad's security to the army from August 1 for three months, under article 245 of Pakistan's constitution.
Imran said: "They should not hide behind the army as it is Pakistan's army and not serving them alone."
Article 245 which deals with the functions of the armed forces states that "armed forces shall, under the directions of the federal government, defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so."
The decision to invoke article 245 is believed to have been taken to thwart Khan's rally who has claimed the march would seal the fate of the government.
After several smaller protests in the preceding months demanding a recount of at least four National Assembly seats, he has given the call for a major protest in the capital.
The cricketer-turned-politician said there would be no agreement between his party and the Pakistan government over the key protest march.
"The time for talking is over. We have waited 14 months and have exhausted all rules within the law," said Khan, who is protesting over alleged rigging in last year's general election won by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's PML-N.
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"We raised the issue in Parliament as well, while the Election Commission of Pakistan gave us no relief. We requested for a judicial commission to be formed but that demand was also not met. Now the decision will be taken on August 14," he told mediapersons after his visit to relief camps in Bannu district of Khyber Pakthunkhwa.
The Pakistan government last week decided to hand over Islamabad's security to the army from August 1 for three months, under article 245 of Pakistan's constitution.
Imran said: "They should not hide behind the army as it is Pakistan's army and not serving them alone."
Article 245 which deals with the functions of the armed forces states that "armed forces shall, under the directions of the federal government, defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so."
The decision to invoke article 245 is believed to have been taken to thwart Khan's rally who has claimed the march would seal the fate of the government.
After several smaller protests in the preceding months demanding a recount of at least four National Assembly seats, he has given the call for a major protest in the capital.