Rally aims to show PTI founder can mobilize large-scale political activity, says Afridi
Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
On the orders of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government plans to organize what its Chief Minister Sohail Afridi calls a “major public rally” in Mardan next Sunday to show support for its leader and prove that the PTI’s founding leader still enjoys massive public support.
The KP Chief Minister said the rally would be held at the Mardan Railway Ground, urging citizens and PTI supporters across the country to participate.
Addressing the media in the federal capital on Monday, Afridi said the rally would aim to show the world that Imran Khan, even in jail, can still mobilize large-scale political activity.
“We will prove through this rally that despite all the oppression, PTI remains the largest political party of Pakistan,” he added.
He said Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were unjustly imprisoned and the PTI leadership was facing continuous atrocities for years.
“On April 19, we will send a message to Imran Khan in his absence that the nation stands firmly with him,” Afridi said.
The chief minister urged all Pakistanis to participate in large numbers and warned that opponents, especially “digital touts” on social media, were carrying out negative propaganda to sabotage the event.
The announcement of the Mardan rally comes with instructions from Imran Khan not to hold any rally or demonstration in Islamabad for the time being. The party had earlier postponed its planned public meeting at Liaqat Bagh in Rawalpindi, originally scheduled for April 9.
These directives come from Imran Khan’s meeting with lawyer Salman Safdar at Adiala jail on April 8.
During the meeting, the PTI founder ordered the party to postpone the Rawalpindi rally due to the sensitive US-Iran peace talks taking place in Islamabad, emphasizing his support for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts.
Safdar later said that Imran Khan would personally announce any new dates for future protests.
Afridi later described the postponement in a press conference as a decision taken in Pakistan’s broader interest and national responsibility.
“All decisions regarding protests and public meetings will be taken as per the directives of Imran Khan,” he said, adding that Imran Khan had also led a large public rally in KP in the next 10 days.
The decisions to postpone Rawalpindi and the Mardan rally highlighted coordination problems within the broader opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP).
TTAP leaders have expressed dissatisfaction that the alliance has not been formally consulted and often learn of PTI plans through media statements rather than direct briefings.
Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai, TTAP spokesperson, confirmed to The Express PK Press Club that the alliance had not yet been officially informed of the April 19 Mardan rally.
“Because there is clear communication, rumors spread,” he said. Yousafzai added that there had been rumors that Imran Khan was unhappy with the opposition leaders in the Senate and the National Assembly.
He contacted PTI general secretary Salman Akram Raja for clarification.
According to Yousafzai, Raja shared two points conveyed by Salman Safdar: first, that Imran Khan has complete confidence in the TTAP leadership; secondly, any decision regarding rallies or political matters should be taken under the leadership of Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
Against this backdrop, PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja issued a statement on X clarifying the party’s broader political strategy.
