The sole aim of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protest on November 24 should be the release of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, party’s lawmaker Sher Afzal Marwat has said.
In an interview with News Insight with Amir Zia which was aired on Aaj News on Thursday, he rejected the notion that any of the party’s recent movements have failed. “The last sit-in at D-Chowk lasted only two days, but for the first time, we have announced a definitive plan for a conclusive protest.”
Khan has announced the date of the protest, which he believes would be for the “restoration” of democracy and judiciary.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur took oath from the party’s supporters at the Swabi rally that they would not return home until Khan was released.
When asked how long the protest would last, Marwat said: “It could be a one-day protest, 10 days, a hundred days, or even indefinite. This time, we are determined not to back down until Khan’s release is secured.”
He added that the specific objectives of the protest have not yet been formally announced. “For the past two months, I have been focusing solely on the need for Imran Khan’s release,” Marwat said and expressed his intention to keep the protest limited to this goal. “Once Khan is freed, they can then address other political or national interests under his leadership and guidance.”
The MNA was of the view that no one in the party would be “cruel enough” to compromise on Khan’s release. “This is a shared desire among all party members and the initiative for protests and sit-ins came from the party leadership, which Khan has endorsed.”
According to him, keeping the PTI founder under detention and the “injustices” suffered over the past year harmed the PML-N and PPP’s popularity. “Khan’s release would not harm anyone, but as long as he remains imprisoned, the world and the Pakistani people will hold those in power responsible for this injustice.”
In response to the question of new cases against Khan, Marwat stated that the PTI founder has been granted bail in many cases. He dismissed the significance of the new cases, comparing them to “a piece of paper for holding fritters.”
When asked what would happen if millions of Pakistanis did not turn out for protests this time, he said: “It wouldn’t make a difference to us. We are still in the assemblies, and Khan remains an undisputed leader. What future awaits Pakistan after this? Is there any roadmap for the economy? Is there national confidence in Zardari and Nawaz?”
Adviser to the KP CM on Information Muhammad Ali Saif told a private news channel that the entire party was united in the initiative to protest. He acknowledged that some individuals might have reservations about the chosen date, but the party’s decision stands “firm.”
The protests would be directed towards Islamabad, he said and expressed confidence in the preparedness of their workers for “difficult” conditions. “We have experience in conducting protests, and our workers are ready to endure hardships.”
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Saif also noted that protests serve to demonstrate political strength against opponents. “It is not always necessary to achieve a 100% success rate from every protest.”
In an interview with a private news channel, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja stated that there was no problem if Khan’s sister Aleema Khan wished to take on a political role.
There should be no cause for concern if the PTI founder of PTI requests her involvement, he said.
“We are not anxious to engage with anyone; our discussions should be with the handlers,” Raja said.
