RAWALPINDI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced on Saturday a change in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) next rally. Originally planned for November 8 in Peshawar, the event has been rescheduled to November 9 at Swabi Interchange, where PTI will announce a "final call" to oust the current government.
Speaking outside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail after meeting PTI leader Imran Khan, Gandapur expressed frustration with the authorities, accusing them of torturing and arresting PTI workers despite the party's peaceful stance. He also condemned what he described as mistreatment of Khan in jail, warning that such actions would not be tolerated.
Gandapur revealed that PTI has devised a plan and is preparing for a decisive movement to remove the "Form 47 government." He stated that this time PTI leaders and supporters would protest while symbolically wearing burial shrouds, signaling their readiness for sacrifice. The Swabi rally, he said, will serve as the launch of the protest, where PTI leadership will outline the next steps and assign responsibilities for the "final call."
The chief minister clarified that PTI has not postponed its rally but merely changed the location from Peshawar to Swabi. In response to questions about his involvement in Bushra Bibi's release, Gandapur declined to comment, saying he would have shared details if he had any role in it.
He dismissed rumors of a deal between PTI and the coalition government or establishment, urging PTI workers to ignore such speculation.
Addressing past criticism over his absence from the D-Chowk protest, Gandapur explained that he has consistently joined PTI rallies, even facing obstacles. He added that his belongings, including his mobile phone, were confiscated by law enforcement at a previous protest, and he clarified that all data had been deleted from his phone.
Gandapur affirmed PTI’s commitment to continuing protests against the current rulers until the "stolen mandate" is recovered and the rule of law is restored. This announcement follows a series of PTI-led demonstrations aimed at pressuring the government to withdraw recent constitutional amendments focused on judicial reforms, which PTI opposes.
Earlier, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja announced plans for a nationwide protest against the 26th Constitutional Amendment, calling it an “attack on the Constitution and judiciary.” Previously, PTI had scheduled a protest at D-Chowk for October 15, but it was postponed due to the SCO summit in Islamabad.
