Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur stated on Sunday that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf would proceed with the implementation of a “civil disobedience” movement as directed by the party’s jailed founder, Imran Khan after clear instructions on the specifics of the plan.

“The PTI founder has made the announcement and whatever Khan’s order is, we have to implement that in the same spirit but […] there is no clarity until now,” he told reporters in Peshawar.

On December 5, jailed former PM Khan revealed his “trump card” by announcing a civil disobedience movement if the government failed to act on the party’s demand. He also formed a negotiating committee to fulfil those demands, including the release of political prisoners and a judicial inquiry into the events of May 9 and November 26.

His orders came after several PTI supporters had lost their lives due to “state terrorism” during his “final call” for nationwide protests on November 24. Such protests aimed to demand the restoration of the PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of detained party members, and the reversal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

After violent clashes between security forces and PTI protesters in Islamabad, the party leadership quickly retreated from the Red Zone on November 27. The three days of protests resulted in six fatalities, including a police officer and three Rangers struck by a speeding vehicle, according to officials.

Khan had also criticised PTI leadership for behaving as if “all is well” and reiterated the call for civil disobedience if no action was taken by December 15.

“Once there’s clarity, God willing, we will act,” the KP chief minister said and indicated a readiness to mobilise once clear directives are received.

Earlier this week, PTI leader Raoof Hasan said that Khan has set a December 14 deadline for the negotiating committee of his party to come up with a resolution to the three demands set before the government.

“Khan Sb has not said talks will continue for an indefinite time,” PTI leader Raoof Hasan said while appearing on News Insight with Amir Zia which was aired on Aaj News on Thursday. “The committee formed has until December 14 to have talks. Khan Sb has said see if you have substantial input or proposal then we can discuss and see how we will go.”

If it fails, Hasan stated that the PTI founder has given a December 16 deadline for starting a civil disobedience movement.

Information minister questions PTI’s commitment to ‘peaceful protests’

In reaction to KP CM’s comments in Abbottabad, where he stated that the PTI would not conduct a peaceful protest, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar challenged the party’s history of protest calls.

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“You have never issued a peaceful call for protest,” Tarar said and added that if the protests were indeed peaceful, the party would not have “armed” its supporters during demonstrations in the capital.

In a video statement, the minister indicated that the government was “prepared” for any forthcoming calls from the PTI but expressed skepticism about the party’s ability to mobilise effectively.