Key Takeaways
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi met with National Assembly and Senate opposition leaders.
- The meeting discussed plans for a nationwide protest on September 27 to demand Imran Khan's release.
- The Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance assured support for the protest.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi met with National Assembly and Senate opposition leaders on Saturday to discuss the PTI’s planned nationwide protest on September 27.
The protest, including a 'long march' to Islamabad, aims to demand the release of party founder Imran Khan and mobilize support for the supremacy of the Constitution.
During the meeting, detailed political consultations were held regarding the protest call, focusing on effective and organized political struggle.
The Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance, led by NA Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, assured support for the protest.
The alliance’s spokesperson, Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai, was also present during the meeting, which took place on Friday.
The politicians discussed various aspects of the future course of action, political strategy, and advancing the democratic struggle in an effective manner.
The meeting also included a discussion on plans for the September 27 protest, held on Thursday after CM Afridi’s visit to Punjab.
In response to a petition challenging the planned PTI gatherings, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) termed any activity infringing citizens’ fundamental rights as a violation of the Constitution.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi affirmed that the government would stop anyone from marching towards the federal capital 'in every possible way'.
He warned of contempt of court proceedings against those who violated the IHC ruling.
The administrations of Rawalpindi and Islamabad had already begun preparations to counter the PTI’s announced march, including arranging containers and seeking additional personnel.
As part of the PTI’s preparations, CM Afridi toured Sindh and Punjab to mobilize supporters for the protest.
During his visit to Punjab, Afridi alleged he was 'abducted' by authorities in Lahore and later 'thrown' by the roadside, claiming a man was sent to kill him.
The Punjab government swiftly refuted the claims of arrest, while the Wazirabad police clarified that the man accused by Afridi was a police constable deployed on security duty.
