Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf announced Wednesday it will hold a long march to Islamabad on Sept. 27 to demand the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. The announcement came as Khan completed three years in prison and PTI staged nationwide protests to mark the anniversary.
Why has PTI announced a march on Islamabad?
PTI says it is marching on Islamabad because Khan has been denied basic constitutional rights, including access to family, party leaders and his personal doctors. The party says it has exhausted legal, constitutional and democratic avenues to secure his release. It now plans a mass mobilization campaign, culminating in the Sept. 27 march.
What did PTI leaders say at the Peshawar rally?
The announcement came during a rally in Peshawar attended by senior party figures, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar and provincial president Junaid Akbar.
Afridi accused authorities of denying Khan his constitutional rights and urged workers to prepare for what he called a "final call." He said the march would demand proper medical care for Khan and an end to restrictions on his family and legal visits.
What legal avenues has PTI already pursued?
Barrister Gohar said PTI was preparing to unveil its "final course of action" after exhausting legal and political options over the past three years. He said the party had sought relief through the Supreme Court, lower courts, the Election Commission and parliament, but failed to secure justice. Gohar also alleged Khan had been denied adequate medical care and regular family visits in prison.
How has PTI's strategy shifted toward confrontation?
Provincial president Junaid Akbar said PTI had tried to resolve disputes through dialogue while avoiding confrontation with the state. He alleged authorities treated the party's willingness to negotiate as weakness. Akbar said PTI was now responding to growing calls from its own workers for a more assertive campaign.
How has the government responded to PTI's claims?
The government has consistently rejected PTI's allegations of political persecution against Khan. The judiciary maintains that legal proceedings against him have been conducted in accordance with the law.
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