The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a major rally in Islamabad, demanding the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan. PTI gave a two-week deadline for his release, threatening to take matters into their own hands if not met. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur led the event in the Sangjani area, vowing to fight for Khan’s freedom.
“If Imran Khan is not released in one or two weeks, we will free him ourselves,” Gandapur declared, adding that he would be the first to face any consequences.
The rally proceeded under tight security. PTI participants gathered in Sangjani, despite facing roadblocks and heavy police presence. Multiple caravans led by KP Chief Minister Gandapur moved towards the city, challenging the authorities’ road obstructions.
PTI had postponed the rally twice before, in July and August, due to revoked permissions. This time, they secured a no-objection certificate (NOC) to proceed. However, the Islamabad district administration put security on high alert and blocked several roads leading to the capital under the “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024,” signed by President Asif Ali Zardari a day before the rally.
PTI Leaders Demand Movement Expansion
During the rally, PTI leader Hammad Azhar accused the government of fearing Imran Khan and his supporters. He announced plans to expand the movement to Punjab, currently governed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and urged party workers to prepare for the next phase.
Sher Afzal Marwat echoed these sentiments, declaring that PTI would enter Punjab with 50,000 supporters within a week, even if they had to face tear gas and other obstacles.
Muhammad Ali Khan lamented the jailing of Imran Khan and the forced exile of many PTI leaders. He demanded the release of Khan and restoration of the Constitution’s supremacy, warning that failure to do so would result in massive protests.
Deadline for Rally Conclusion
As PTI leaders addressed the crowd, the Islamabad district administration set a 7 PM deadline for the rally’s conclusion. Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon stated that any violation of the NOC would lead to action, including turning off loudspeakers and closing city entry points to prevent further participants from joining.
After the deadline passed, the police were directed to act against the rally-goers. This led to clashes between PTI workers and the police, resulting in injuries to several officers, including Senior Superintendent of Police Shoaib Khan. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi checked on the injured officers and directed that they receive the best medical care.
Accusations of Government Targeting
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor to the KP Chief Minister, criticized the police’s heavy-handed tactics. He claimed that PTI workers were subjected to intense tear gas shelling and accused the government of targeting the party unfairly. Despite efforts to disperse the crowd, the rally continued for hours beyond the authorized timeframe.
The district administration ordered the rally organizers to conclude immediately, threatening action for any rule violations. Some PTI supporters turned back from Sangjani Toll Plaza after the deadline passed, but others continued to resist. The police warned of legal consequences for those violating the “code-of-conduct.”
Continued Defiance by PTI Leadership
The rally persisted even after the time limit, with top PTI leaders, including KP Chief Minister Gandapur, remaining at the venue. Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai criticized the lack of discipline among the participants, arguing that organizational discipline is essential for any revolutionary movement.
He called Imran Khan a “lucky individual” for gaining such widespread support, adding that Pakistan was at a crossroads between revolution and destruction. He urged the PTI leadership to give the government a 10-15 day deadline to release Khan and other leaders.
Government’s Response to PTI’s Claims
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, dismissed PTI’s allegations of roadblocks, claiming that the public, especially in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, had rejected PTI. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also claimed that the PTI had resorted to spreading false videos on social media to inflate the appearance of attendance at the rally.
He stated that the PTI leadership would not avoid accountability with such tactics and reaffirmed that Imran Khan would face trial for corrupt practices. Authorities discovered a suspicious bag near the rally venue containing explosives, further escalating tensions.
