'Peaceful or destructive', change to come at any cost PTI chief.

GUJAR KHAN -- Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has claimed that the country's current circumstances are far worse than during former president retired Gen Pervez Musharraf's dictatorship, insisting that change would come at any cost, be it peaceful or destructive.

He said the purpose of his long march was to achieve 'real independence' that meant the decisions for the nation were taken within the country and not by any foreign or superpower.

Addressing the participants of his party's long march in Gujar Khan and Chakwal via video link, Mr Khan said people were emancipated in countries where law and justice prevailed, adding politics was played on police stations, patwaris and courts in Pakistan because people did not get justice from any of these entities. People here had to search for their local representatives to get justice, which wasn't the case in the West.

Western countries attracted more investment and trade because their systems were transparent, the PTI chief said, questioning if he being a former premier and despite ruling Punjab could not get a first information registered, what would be the fate of a common man.

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While talking about overseas Pakistanis, Mr Khan said they wanted to return after making money abroad and invest here, but lacked trust in the system.

He further deplored the treatment meted out to Senator Azam Swati during his arrest and subsequent detention, and also lauded slain journalist Arshad Sharif for standing firm on his stance despite threats, and eventually sacrificing his life without bowing down.

He reiterated that he would unveil his plans about participation in the long march in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

Mr Khan claimed Pakistan's economy was nose-diving, and the risk of default in returning foreign loans had soared to 80 per cent from 5pc in March. In such a situation, he said further, no one would want to invest and no commercial bank would extend loans to the country. Every economist was aware of the situation, but 'the...