Peshawar: Hours after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan issued a “final call” for pro-test in Islamabad on November 24 against the ruling coalition, firebrand Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said that there would be no “turning back” this time until the fulfilment of their demands.
“Imran’s sister Aleema Khan has announced the date of protest, preparations have been completed and this time there will be no turning back,” the provincial chief executive said while speaking to jour-nalists in Peshawar.
Earlier in the day, the incarcerated PTI founder called on his supporters to march to Islamabad on No-vember 24, his lawyer and sister said on Wednesday.
Talking to reporters in Rawalpindi, lawyer Faisal Chaudhry said: “Imran says this is the final call for a [an-ti-government] protest. The PTI founder has stressed that the party’s entire leadership will be part of the march.”
The protest will not only take place in Islamabad, but throughout Pakistan and across the world where Imran’s supporters are present, Chaudhry said.
The lawyer said that the party founder had also formed a committee for the march and asked not to reveal the names of those who are part of it as Imran fears they’ll be arrested.
All party leaders are aware of their responsibilities, the lawyer said, adding that the committee would have the authority to call off the protest — ensuring that no single person calls the shots.
Detailing the demands of the protest, Chaudhry said that the party sought the withdrawal of the con-tentious 26th Constitutional Amendment, “return of PTI’s mandate”, and release of workers who are in jails without trials.
On the other hand, Aleema, Imran’s sister, informed reporters about the development, saying: “He also told Pakistanis to decide whether they want to live under martial law or enjoy freedom.”
Before this announcement, sources had informed The News that although the PTI founder demanded a date for a do-or-die ultimate protest and possible sit-in in Islamabad, he was being persuaded by the party’s senior leaders it may backfire if such a protest is announced without proper planning and con-sidering all pros and cons.
Since his arrest in August 2023, the former ruling party has been staging protests across the country for his release and against the alleged “rigging” in the 2024 elections. –Agencies
