Demonstration aims to show that PTI founder can mobilize large-scale political activity, says Afridi
Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Photo: Archive
ISLAMABAD:
Following the instructions of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government plans to hold what its chief minister Sohail Afridi calls a “big public rally” in Mardan next Sunday to show support for its leader and demonstrate that the founding PTI leader still enjoys massive public support.
The KP chief minister said the rally will be held at Mardan Railway Ground, and urged people and PTI supporters from across the country to participate.
Addressing the media in the federal capital on Monday, Afridi stated that the rally would aim to show the world that Imran Khan, even in prison, can still mobilize large-scale political activity.
“With this rally we will show that despite all the oppression, the PTI remains the largest political party in Pakistan,” he added.
He said Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi had been unjustly imprisoned and PTI leaders had faced continuous atrocities for years.
“On April 19 we will send a message to Imran Khan in his absence that the nation remains firmly by his side,” Afridi said.
The prime minister urged all Pakistanis to participate in large numbers and warned that opponents, particularly “digital marketers” on social media, were making negative propaganda to sabotage the event.
The announcement of Mardan’s rally comes along with Imran Khan’s instructions not to hold any demonstration or protest in Islamabad for the time being. The party had earlier postponed its planned public meeting at Liaqat Bagh in Rawalpindi, which was originally scheduled for April 9.
Those directives emerged from Imran Khan’s meeting with lawyer Salman Safdar in Adiala jail on April 8.
During the meeting, the PTI founder ordered the party to postpone the Rawalpindi meeting in view of the sensitive US-Iran peace talks taking place in Islamabad, stressing support for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts.
Safdar later said that Imran Khan would personally announce any new dates for future protests.
Later, Afridi, in a press conference, described the postponement as a decision taken in the broader interest and national responsibility of Pakistan.
“All decisions regarding protests and public gatherings will be taken in accordance with the directives of Imran Khan,” he said, adding that Imran Khan had also addressed an important public meeting in KP in the next 10 days.
The decisions on both the Rawalpindi postponement and the Mardan rally have highlighted coordination challenges within the broader opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP).
TTAP leaders have expressed discontent that the alliance was not formally consulted and often learn of PTI’s plans through media statements rather than direct briefings.
Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai, spokesperson for TTAP, confirmed to The Express PAkGazette that the alliance had not been officially informed about the April 19 Mardan rally so far.
“Because there is clear communication, rumors spread,” he said. Yousafzai added that there were rumors that Imran Khan was unhappy with the opposition leaders in the Senate and the National Assembly.
He contacted PTI general secretary Salman Akram Raja for clarification.
According to Yousafzai, Raja shared two points conveyed by Salman Safdar: first, that Imran Khan has complete confidence in the TTAP leadership; secondly, that any decision regarding protests or political issues should be taken under the guidance of Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
In this context, PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja issued a statement on X clarifying the party’s broader political strategy.
