Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shafi Jan announced that the party is compelled to organize a long march aimed at securing the release of its founder, Imran Khan. The march will commence from Peshawar and is expected to involve two million participants. Jan emphasized that this demonstration is the party’s final recourse, as their voices have gone unheard.
Addressing the situation on the programme “Naya Pakistan,” Jan stated that PTI workers are protesting because they feel ignored, and the long march represents their last available option. He asserted that the march’s impact would resonate nationwide once it begins.
However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi offered a different perspective, clarifying that the march’s immediate goal is to gain access to Imran Khan rather than his outright release. Afridi explained that any release would occur in accordance with constitutional and legal procedures.
Imran Khan, aged 73, has been imprisoned since August 2023 following convictions that he and his party claim are politically motivated. Since his removal from office in April 2022 via a no-confidence vote, he has faced numerous legal challenges, including allegations related to state gifts and an unlawful marriage case. While some convictions have been overturned or suspended, several appeals remain pending in higher courts. Both Imran and PTI continue to deny all accusations.
Jan assured that the party intends to conduct the protest peacefully and within the boundaries of the law and Constitution. He highlighted that Imran Khan’s sisters have been denied visits, and meetings with the former prime minister have been halted for the past nine months, demanding that these interactions be reinstated.
The announcement of the long march was made because no other options remain, Jan said, urging all PTI supporters to unite by September 27. He described the movement as a push to secure Imran Khan’s release.
Jan also mentioned that the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) supports PTI’s cause and will join the long march on September 27. Furthermore, PTI is maintaining close contact with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), and other political parties are expected to participate. He noted that former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur would be part of the march, identifying him as a PTI member.
Earlier, Afridi stated that he would personally lead the long march on September 27. He clarified that the protest would extend beyond a single day and that participants would not return immediately after reaching Islamabad. Afridi explained that the decision to hold the march followed consultations with PTI and TTAP leaders.
When questioned about the choice of the September 27 date, Afridi said it was selected to ensure favorable weather and allow adequate time for preparations.
