Backdoor talks an ‘exercise in futility’: Imran

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PTI chief says date for long march to be announced next week
• Moves IHC against disqualification in Toshakhana case

ISLAMABAD: A day after his disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for involvement in corrupt practices, former prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday did not seem too optimistic about the outcome of backchannel dialogue efforts with the quarters concerned, saying he will finally announce a date for his ‘historic long march’ on the capital by next week.

Also on Saturday, the Pak­is­tan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the ECP ruling in the Toshakhana case and reque­sted a hearing on the petition the same day. However, the IHC chief justice dec­lined the request and said the petition along with obje­ctions raised by the registrar will be taken up on Monday.

During a press conference alongside Senator Azam Swati, who was released on bail earlier this week, at Banigala, Imran Khan was asked for an update on his party’s talks with the government and the powers that be.