Thousands of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) supporters, led by Imran Khan and accompanied by other party leaders, have gathered at Parade Ground in the federal capital to 'celebrate victory', following the Supreme Court hearing of Panamagate petitions.
PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi says the party “only wanted to shut the practice of corruption”.
"They said we were coming to close Islamabad, but we don’t want to do so since it is not our manner of doing politics," says Qureshi.
"If Imran Khan orders, we can close the federal capital tonight, but we will not do so."
Qureshi also pays tribute to the arrested workers of PTI.
"We also salute our brothers and sisters who set off from Khyber Pakhtunkwa," says Qureshi.
"I wish we had more days, they would have understood what we are made of," says KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak. “PTI had teams ready to continue the struggle.”
"They tried to use our Pashtun brothers against us, by having FC troops deployed to stop us," adds Khattak.
“I wish for the day you [Shahbaz Sharif] will be fired upon then I will ask you how it feels.”
Khattak says he does not care about his 'chair', as he has been a political prisoner and he "would have thrown out his 'chair' if Imran asked too".
"I will resign from my post whenever Imran Khan asks me to."
Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed, while addressing the gathering, expresses hope that "this Supreme Court of Pakistan will save the country from disaster".
The AML chief also referred to the prime minister as a friend of Modi. "Nawaz Sharif wants to transform Pakistan Army into Punjab police," alleges the veteran politician.
Rasheed was of the veiw that "China saved Pakistan from being labelled as a rogue state".
Pivoting from protest to peaceful celebration, the PTI chief on Tuesday had changed its plan from November 2 'lockdown' to a day of thanksgiving in Islamabad.
KP lawmaker Farman Shah, while addressing the PTI workers earlier in the eveing, said: "We are not against Punjab, we are against the PML-N."
"We are not against the federation, we are against thieves," he asserted.
Party supporters had chanted “Go Nawaz Go” slogans upon the arrival of Imran Khan at the rally.
Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Jahangir Khan Tareen and Sheikh Rasheed are sitting on the stage along with other party leaders.
Three entry points have been established at the Parade Ground; one for media, one for VIPs and one for general public.
The interior ministry said that more than 10,000 policemen have been deployed to perform security duties at the Parade Ground.
Imran Khan will address the workers in a while. The PTI chief is expected to elaborate what Supreme Court's decision means for PTI's accountability movement.
PTI's party anthems are being played from the stage and workers are waving the party flags.
PTI workers had started gathering at the venue since yesterday.
Imran Khan thanked the PTI workers who were part of his struggle against corruption.
"Go home and rest," Imran had told his supporters, "You have to return to Islamabad tomorrow to celebrate thanksgiving at Parade Ground," he said while talking to press on Tuesday.
Imran was referring to the Supreme Court's decision taken early on Tuesday, where it announced the formation of a judicial commission to probe the allegations against the Sharif family in the Panama Papers.
