PTI Supporters Plan March to Islamabad if Justice for Imran Khan is Denied

The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Suhail Afridi, announced on Wednesday that if justice is not served to the party's founder and imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will march towards Islamabad on September 27. This declaration was made during a significant PTI rally in Peshawar, coinciding with the three-year anniversary of Khan's imprisonment. Afridi emphasized that the party's primary demand is for a fair hearing of the cases against Khan and his wife, with decisions made based on merit. Additionally, he stated that restoring the ability for Khan's legal team, doctors, relatives, and party leaders to meet with him is crucial. He claimed that if justice is achieved, Khan could be released within 30 minutes; otherwise, people from across the nation would head to Islamabad. Afridi asserted that PTI is seeking justice, not charity, and will continue its struggle through constitutional and democratic means, including peaceful protests. Welcoming supporters from all over Pakistan, he noted that people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan gathered to show solidarity with Khan, indicating his enduring popularity.

Referencing the three-year anniversary of Khan's alleged "abduction," Afridi accused the former Prime Minister of being isolated, stating that his sisters faced mistreatment during their visits to him in prison. He further alleged that the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments have weakened the judiciary, claiming that courts are no longer able to dispense justice freely. The 26th amendment limited the Chief Justice's term to three years, while the 27th amendment established the position of 'Chief of Defense Forces' and created a constitutional court. The Chief Minister reiterated PTI's longstanding position that Khan was ousted from office through an external conspiracy, aided by internal collaborators, after he refused to compromise Pakistan's sovereignty. He highlighted Khan's sacrifices for the country's future and his advocacy against Islamophobia and for Muslim rights on the international stage.

Afridi also claimed that the change in power in April 2022 led to economic decline and a resurgence of terrorism, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has once again become a victim of insecurity and violence. He accused the current government of damaging Pakistan's relationships with neighboring countries like Iran, Afghanistan, and China, and criticized dynastic politics, asserting that PTI will oppose any attempts to impose hereditary rule.