'March to Islamabad on Nov 24,' Imran Khan gives 'final call' to supporters
1. "PTI founder has stressed that party's entire leadership will be part of march," says Imran's lawyer
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has called on his supporters to march to Islamabad on November 24, according to his lawyer Faisal Chaudhry and his sister Aleema Khan.
Speaking to reporters in Rawalpindi, Chaudhry stated, “Imran Khan says this is the final call for an anti-government protest.” He emphasized that PTI’s leadership will participate fully in the march, which will extend beyond Islamabad to cities across Pakistan and even internationally where PTI supporters are present.
The PTI founder has established a committee to oversee the march, although its members remain undisclosed to prevent arrests. The committee will have the authority to call off the protest, ensuring collective decision-making rather than individual control.
Earlier, there was discontent among PTI supporters after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur ended a rally in Swabi without announcing a protest date, adding to the frustration of supporters who participated in last month’s abruptly concluded Islamabad protest. Chaudhry confirmed that Gandapur will lead a convoy from KP in response to Imran’s directives.
Among the protest’s demands are the repeal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the “return of PTI’s mandate,” and the release of PTI workers detained without trial. Sources reveal that while Imran was eager to announce a decisive protest and possible sit-in, senior PTI leaders advised caution, fearing backlash without thorough planning.
Meanwhile, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, criticized Imran’s “do-or-die” call for potentially endangering PTI supporters, warning that a strict response may follow.
Aleema Khan, Imran’s sister, relayed that her brother has urged the Pakistani public to choose between “martial law or freedom,” appealing to farmers, lawyers, civil society, and students to join the Islamabad protest and demand judicial protections, rule of law, and the restoration of PTI’s mandate. She claimed that, following the general elections on February 8, the people’s mandate was “stolen” in favor of a select few, and the 26th Amendment has paved the way for prolonged martial law.
KP CM Gandapur affirmed in Peshawar that preparations for the protest are complete, stating, “There is no turning back this time.” He insisted the protest will persist until PTI’s demands are fully addressed.
