By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Defying government crackdowns and mass arrests, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the country’s main opposition party, pledged on Saturday to sustain its nationwide protests until receiving direct orders from its founding chairman, Imran Khan, to stand down.
“This protest will spread across Pakistan, and every citizen will become its part,” said Salman Akram Raja, a party leader, in a tweet. Raja announced that PTI would not cease protesting against the proposed constitutional amendments. “We decided not to stop protests against the proposed constitutional amendments.”
Barrister Gohar Khan, PTI chairman, initially described the protest as a one-day event but later announced its continuation due to the government’s crackdown.
Khan, the embattled leader of PTI, took to social media on Saturday to praise his party activists for staging a powerful protest, showcasing their “unfaltering resilience and courage” in the face of overwhelming obstacles.
“I am so proud of all our people,” said a message from Khan posted on X platform. “You showed unfaltering resilience and courage as you came out yesterday and overcame unbelievable obstacles.”
Khan’s defiant tone comes as analysts suggest that he will only call off the protests when the powerful military extends an invitation for talks, potentially offering concessions such as his release from jail in connection with ongoing cases.
The government, already under pressure, is facing a daunting challenge as mass support for PTI shows no signs of waning ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. The event’s proximity raises concerns that any measures taken against protesters – be they harsh or soft – could jeopardize the summit’s success.
Meanwhile, the disappearance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur sparked confusion and concern. After entering Islamabad, Gandapur left his party workers and proceeded to KP House, only to vanish later, fueling rumors of his arrest.
Gandapur, leading a rally from KP to Islamabad, entered the capital but instead of joining workers gathered near Centaurus Mall and China Chowk, proceeded to the KP House. This marks the third instance Gandapur failed to reach the destination of the PTI march, following previous absences in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Gandapur’s whereabouts remained unknown till late night.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters on Saturday that Islamabad had been “attacked” under Gandapur’s leadership, and “strict action will be initiated against the planners of this assault”.
However, he did not answer a question about Gandapur’s whereabouts.
PTI’s political committee warned of severe repercussions if Gandapur were arrested. “Arresting a sitting chief minister would be disastrous for the country,” Asad Qaiser, former National Assembly speaker and senior PTI leader, cautioned.
Qasir said the provincial KP assembly has convened an emergency session on Sunday to address the alleged disappearance of Chief Minister Gandapur and a police raid on the KP House.
“The detention of the chief minister is an insult to the entire province and the party would call a meeting of a Jirga (council) of political parties to press the government to release Gandapur,” Qaiser said.
“Although the government has been trying to kidnap MNAs and their family members, we hope they will stand firm on their stance. Thousands of workers of PTI have been arrested across the country.”
The committee also appointed Azam Swati to lead the protests in Gandapur’s absence and announced that a new leader would be named if Swati were also arrested.
“It was also decided that Azam Swati will lead the protest if Gandapur would be arrested,” Qaiser said. “Arresting a sitting chief minister would be disastrous for the country, and there would be serious repercussions.”
In Lahore, PTI workers defied government restrictions, gathering at Minar-i-Pakistan despite tear gas and baton charges. Despite the intense crackdown, witnesses reported that the protests drew massive crowds. The government had deployed Rangers and army troops to maintain order, citing security concerns for visiting heads of state attending the SCO summit.
The PTI workers, who had waited until evening to launch a coordinated march towards Minar-i-Pakistan, faced fierce resistance from the police. Some protesters retaliated, leading to further clashes ¹.
Multiple PTI leaders were detained, including Lahore MPA Ahmer Rasheed Bhatti, ticket-holders Malik Zaheer Abbas Khokhar and Malik Nadeem Bara. Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, was also arrested, with his whereabouts unknown until late Saturday.
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