Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar has said that the party is determined to hold the province’s largest political gathering on September 27 in Peshawar.
Speaking to the media after a key meeting with PTI lawmakers and office-bearers from the Peshawar region, Akbar admitted that the party had not been able to mobilize crowds as effectively in recent months as desired.
However, he maintained that PTI’s popularity graph was steadily rising and that a transparent general election would pave the way for the party’s return to power.
“Yes, we may not always succeed in bringing people out of their homes, but the party has grown stronger, and its graph is consistently rising,” he added.
Akbar further noted that PTI was not a “guerrilla force,” but a political party that continues to attract new supporters. This rally is being held at the call of our founding chairman. Every party member is playing their part to make it a historic event,” he said.
“Some say rallies make no difference, but they do. The world watches, and through this show of strength, we will send a clear message to the government and its backers that the people stand with PTI, just as we did on February 8.”
During the meeting, PTI lawmakers assured the provincial president of maximum participation to ensure the success of the rally. Local leaders emphasised that while supporters from across the country would attend, it would be the people of Peshawar who would make the event a success.
Later, Akbar, accompanied by senior party leaders, visited Qissa Khwani Bazaar to launch a campaign for the rally and invited traders to participate.
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The development came as, on Monday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan had called on the public to participate in a mass rally scheduled for September 27 in Peshawar, describing it as a demonstration for the nation’s freedom.
“The media’s voice has been strangled. This rally is for the nation’s freedom. The party has been instructed to make it a success,” said Aleema Khan, speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail as she conveyed her brother’s message. She added that Imran Khan had assigned the responsibility for organizing the rally to PTI leaders Ali Amin Gandapur and Junaid Akbar.
PTI had appointed Chief Minister’s spokesperson Faraz Mughal as the focal person for the event. The rally was set to take place near Ring Road Motorway Chowk in Peshawar, beginning at 4 PM. Party leaders described the gathering as both a call for Imran Khan’s release and a landmark moment in the “movement for real freedom.”
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“We were united for Imran Khan’s release. The Peshawar rally was going to make history. This gathering was part of the ongoing struggle for real freedom. Under Imran Khan’s leadership, the nation had been fighting for its rights. Everyone needed to unite to strengthen this movement,” said Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur while addressing reporters.
“The grand rally in Peshawar was set to become a historic chapter for PTI. When a nation is united, no force can block its path to freedom. This movement was about the people’s future and the establishment of justice. The release of Imran Khan remained our goal, and the Peshawar rally would be a milestone in that struggle,” he added.
