Incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi has decided to opt out of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protest scheduled for Sunday (tomorrow), sources said. Instead of her, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur would lead the march to the federal capital.

Bibi’s decision comes after backlash on her video message where she spoke about her husband and the former army chief.

On Thursday, the former first lady alleged that after Khan visited Medina barefoot as the prime minister, he began receiving calls from former army chief General (retd) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. She alleged that Bajwa was informed about attempts to dismantle the system of Sharia, raising concerns about Khan’s advocacy for Islamic law.

The former army chief denied the ex-first lady’s claims in conversation with journalist Mohammad Malick. Bajwa stated that no such calls were received upon “Khan’s return from Saudi Arabia”.

Bibi is a “non-political figure” and would not attend the protest due to health issues, sources within the party added.

Meanwhile, Adviser to the KP CM on Information Muhammad Ali Saif stated that the federal government should not make the lives of citizens “miserable” by blocking roads and must restore their rights.

Saif has called for adopting democratic methods instead of “fascist tactics” and warned that failure to do so would be their fate. The closure of motorways and highways in Punjab “demonstrates the protest’s success,” he said.

He stated that if necessary, hotels, educational institutions, hostels, and bus terminals should also be shut down, revealing the desperate attempts to save their “illegitimate regime.” Saif questioned the whereabouts of the “courtier ministers” who claimed that not even 50 people would take to the streets, noting that the entire country has been locked down out of fear of just 50 individuals. He expressed confidence that “no matter what the fake government does, their downfall is inevitable.”

KP CM Gandapur vows to go to ‘any length’

KP CM Gandapur vowed to go to “any lengths” to secure approval for their demands.

In his message, Gandapur stated that “oppression and brutality” against them continue and they would all take to the streets on Sunday to protest. “Our primary demand is the release of the PTI founder and party workers, along with the reinstatement of constitutional amendments,” he said and affirmed that they would go to “any extent” until their demands are met.

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His spokesperson claimed that preparations for the protest at D-Chowk in Islamabad are complete. Convoys from across the province are expected to arrive on Sunday, with all participants instructed to overcome any obstacles to reach Islamabad.

The spokesperson stated that they would not utilise government machinery; instead, they would be bringing in “private heavy machinery to remove barriers.”

He added that there was no set time for the sit-in or protest and modern equipment would be employed to prevent shelling.