Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan have joined a protest march led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, demanding his release from prison.
Organised by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, the march entered the northwestern city of Peshawar on Thursday (October 8), marking the fifth consecutive day of demonstrations.
The protest began in Lakki Marwat on October 4 and has passed through several districts under Afridi’s leadership.
Addressing supporters in Peshawar, Afridi urged them to remain committed to their campaign for what he described as “true freedom”.
“There might be some discomfort, but this pain is not greater than the pain Imran Khan sahib is enduring in jail for us,” he told the crowd.
The PTI initially planned to march towards Islamabad but has revised the route several times. Afridi said the next phase of the campaign would be announced when the convoy reaches Swabi.
The federal government has warned the opposition party against organising protests or public gatherings in Islamabad.
Internet Services Suspended in Peshawar
Mobile phone and internet services were temporarily suspended in parts of Peshawar as the protest convoy approached the city.
An official from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority confirmed to Dawn that the suspension had been ordered by higher authorities as a security precaution.
Several private schools in Peshawar also remained closed, although education authorities said they had not instructed schools to shut down.
The demonstrations come amid a breakdown in talks between the PTI and the federal government, with disagreements over counterterrorism policy among the key issues contributing to the political deadlock.
Court Seeks Explanation from Chief Minister
The protest has also prompted legal scrutiny of Afridi. The Peshawar High Court has sought a response from the chief minister over allegations that he used a government helicopter to travel to the march’s starting point.
The complaint raises questions about whether the use of public resources for the political activity violated an earlier court order prohibiting such practices.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said the party remained willing to engage in dialogue with the government, stressing that political disputes should be resolved through constitutional and democratic means.
He also expressed concern over the alleged disappearances of party members and rejected suggestions that emergency powers or governor’s rule should be imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PTI Announces Further Rallies
Imran Khan served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 until his removal through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022. He has been in prison since August 2023, while his party continues to demand his release and challenge the legal proceedings against him.
The PTI has announced further gatherings in Mardan on October 10 and Swabi on October 11. Party leaders are expected to determine the next stage of the protest campaign during these events.
