Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai has warned that the opposition alliance would launch a nationwide movement if former prime minister Imran Khan were not released from jail.
“If, within 15 days, Imran Khan and all political prisoners are not released, we will initiate a political movement across the country,” he said while addressing supporters of PTI at the rally in Islamabad.
Khan is incarcerated for more than a year as his legal battles continue. The PTI founder is facing cases related to May 9 and graft.
The former prime minister has expressed his concerns over the possibility of his military trial by making former Inter-Services Intelligence director general Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed an approver against him.
On Saturday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif hinted at such a possibility and stated that Khan’s military trial would be based on the “evidence” and ex-spymaster would speak about his cooperation with the former prime minister.
Achakzai expressed his disappointment with PTI leadership, saying it is unacceptable that Imran Khan remains in jail despite the support of millions. He urged the crowd to advance strategically and give the government 10 to 15 days.
He announced that under the platform of the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan, they would unite to declare that a movement would be launched in every district of Pakistan. “Neither the military nor the police can stop our path; only the people will reign.”
The PkMAP stated that there was a lack of organization within PTI, noting that “clothes tear and pockets get picked when climbing onto the stage; such a crowd cannot bring about a revolution.”
He claimed that throughout history, no revolution—be it religious or political—has garnered such massive public support.
He questioned why a revolution had not yet occurred, attributing this to the lack of organisation, which he deemed a fundamental requirement for any revolution. Achakzai acknowledged the public’s love and passion for Khan but emphasised the necessity of a better organisational structure within the party.
The PkMAP chief criticised influential political figures who claim there is no difference between Form 45 and Form 47, asserting: “Those with Form 47 are thieves and robbers. Today, our establishment knows that Shahbaz’s government came to power through intimidation, dishonesty, and theft.”
The PTI has decided to travel to Punjab within a week, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur set to announce the specific date, party leader Sher Afzal Marwat said on Sunday.
“No one can harm PTI,” he said while addressing a party rally in Islamabad’s Sangjani as a large number of supporters gathered in the federal capital to participate in it.
He stated that those associated with Form 45 mocked the PTI, challenging the party to hold a rally in Punjab. “We will enter Punjab, and I expect at least 50,000 people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to join me. We will also carry supplies for four to five days in case we need to walk along the way.”
“Listen up, powerful people; a revolution is on the brink. The public is ready and has come out of their homes. Today, the people are saying they are ready to go to Adiala Jail, but we will not go there just like that. We will go to Adiala Jail only when our founder is released,” PTI leader Aamir Dogar addressed the crowd.
He stated that the key to unlocking Adiala Jail lies in the power of the people. He urged the “powerful elites” to recognise that the PTI founder “is essential” for Pakistan’s future.
At the rally, Sheikh Waqas Akram said that despite obstacles, people gathered for the event.
He addressed the naysayers, saying: “They said there wouldn’t be a rally on September 8. Those who claimed Punjabis don’t come out, look today—Punjabis are present at the rally.”
Akram added that the public was the “true strength” of the PTI founder. “Anyone who stands in our way will face the wrath of the people.”
Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza stated that the state and the establishment are part of the people.
“We will not allow a military trial of the PTI founder. If you want to conduct a military trial, you will have to do so over our bodies. The founder of PTI is the pride of the nation.”
Barrister Salman Akram Raja, a nominated candidate for the PTI General Secretary position, said supporters of PTI have endured “oppression” for two years.
“You have not bowed down; you have resisted. You have faced violence, endured imprisonment, and suffered raids on your homes where family members were taken away. The founder of PTI will never bow down and will confront the tyrants until the very end.”
Zain Qureshi, the son of former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, conveyed his father’s message to the public and urged them to remain united.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said: “Today, the spirit of the PTI founder is alive. You all embody the passion and fervor of the PTI founder.”
He criticised the incumbent government for turning “Islamabad into a cage” before their rally and slammed the legislation pertaining to regulating the public gathering in the federal capital.
Khan emphasised that the “PTI founder is a reality” that must be acknowledged. “This is not the 1990s when someone could be sidelined; the PTI founder cannot be marginalised. He was, is, and will remain a leader.”
He claimed that the party’s mandate was stolen on February 8. “A country led by a corrupt leader cannot progress. Today, Balochistan is slipping away from us. Judges are being appointed in courts based on preference; the era of handpicked courts and judges is over. We will resist these arbitrary courts and judges.”
Khan added that the PTI founder speaks for the people and would soon be among them again. “He will become the prime minister once more. We do not accept decisions made by biased courts against the PTI founder. We are here for the country and democracy. I urge the rulers not to underestimate the people; do not block their path. If the path is obstructed, it could lead the country into a dead end.”
He added that the PTI had been waiting for six months to hold the rally. Containers were placed to sabotage our gathering, yet despite them, we all reached the venue. Today, it has been proven that the entire nation stands with prisoner number 804.“
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur declared that the people of the province have “successfully safeguarded” their mandate. He invited the entire nation to come to the province.
Gandapur criticised those who grant “NROs,” stating that they are part of the corruption. “Those who grant NROs have lost; they sit in jail while the founder of PTI receives respect even behind bars. What benefit has the NRO brought to 250 million people?”
He condemned the oppression in Palestine, stating that while they pass resolutions, “money-driven journalism” prevails in the country.
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“Journalists who take envelopes do not question the rulers. They are not journalists; they are merely looking to sell their votes and their integrity. This corrupt media is not practising journalism; it is engaging in brokerage.”
Gandapur criticised state institutions, asserting that no one can conduct a military trial of the PTI founder.
He announced that the next PTI rally would be held in Lahore, stating: “We will gather at Minar-e-Pakistan. Maryam Nawaz, do not provoke us; if you do, you will regret it more than Bangladesh. The nation should prepare for a momentous occasion.”
