ISLAMABAD: During a highly anticipated public rally on Sunday, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders demanded the immediate release of party founder Imran Khan and pledged to resist any military trial. The rally took place on the outskirts of the capital at Sangjani, where Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur addressed the crowd.
Gandapur warned that if Khan was not released within two weeks, PTI would take more drastic actions to secure his freedom. He threatened that the party’s peaceful efforts could escalate into violence if their demands were not met. Additionally, Gandapur vowed to initiate legal cases against opponents in KP if Khan’s release was not achieved.
Addressing the military establishment, Gandapur claimed that even they could not prevent his efforts to free Khan. Despite numerous postponements and official obstacles, the rally saw a significant turnout, with participants enduring long routes and security barriers set by the Islamabad administration.
In response to Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s suggestion that Khan might face a military trial, Gandapur dismissed the threat, asserting that no authority could hinder their efforts. He accused the military of targeting Khan under the pretext of the May 9 incidents and promised to reveal more details at a future rally in Lahore.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan echoed Gandapur’s sentiments, stating that the party would not tolerate any new cases against Khan and reaffirmed his leadership. Gohar criticized the local administration for blocking access to the rally venue with containers, which he claimed hindered PTI workers from attending.
The government, however, labeled the PTI rally as a failure, accusing the party of failing to mobilize significant numbers and resorting to deceptive tactics to create the illusion of a large turnout. Information Minister Atta Tarar criticized PTI for the clashes with police at Chungi No 26, attributing the violence to the party’s propensity for disruptive behavior. He also accused Gandapur of arriving late to the rally due to its lackluster turnout.
