Junaid Akbar urges PTI members to ensure Swabi rally’s success

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was notably absent from a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) meeting chaired by the party’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) president, Junaid Akbar, to strategize for the upcoming Swabi rally on February 8, sources told Geo News.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan, Social Welfare Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah, and Health Adviser Ihtesham Khan. PTI lawmakers Sher Ali Arbab, Shandana Gulzar, and other leaders were also present. However, several assembly members from the Peshawar region and other key party officials were missing.

Addressing the participants, Junaid Akbar reaffirmed the party’s commitment to securing the release of PTI founder Imran Khan through legal means. He emphasized that this time, the protest would be decisive and not subject to external influences.

“I will not assign specific targets, but all party leaders must ensure maximum worker participation at the rally,” he stated. Akbar added that he would only take the stage once all senior leaders had arrived at the venue.

Regarding logistical arrangements, he clarified that district leaders would be responsible for organizing transport. “We must work collectively for the party and avoid repeating past mistakes,” he urged.

Upon his arrival in Peshawar, PTI workers welcomed Junaid Akbar with garlands. Speaking to the media, he described the upcoming Swabi rally as the “biggest in KP.”

He also criticized Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, calling his statements “shameful,” and labeled the November 26 violence in Islamabad as “state terrorism” against PTI workers.

When questioned about Chief Minister Gandapur’s absence from the meeting, Akbar stated that a separate discussion with him regarding the Swabi protest would be scheduled. “The chief minister was not invited today due to his heavy responsibilities,” he explained.

Akbar further emphasized that the party would neither take nor offer financial contributions for the rally. “Asad Qaiser, Shahram Tarakai, and the local party organization are overseeing the rally’s preparations,” he noted.

Addressing speculation about his political aspirations, Junaid Akbar dismissed rumors of seeking a ministerial position. “For the past one and a half months, I was urged to take on this responsibility. If it weren’t for the founder’s orders, I wouldn’t have accepted it,” he revealed.