Party spokesperson says new date for the rally will be announced at appropriate time following mutual consultation
RAWALPINDI:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday announced the postponement of its public rally scheduled for April 9 due to the upcoming talks between the United States and Iran in the federal capital.
The decision was taken during a key meeting of the party’s political committee, where senior leadership, including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, reviewed the overall political and regional situation in detail. Following deliberations, the committee decided to defer the rally that was due to be held at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi.
The PTI political committee’s meeting focused on the country’s political climate, with particular attention to recent developments in the region. The committee welcomed progress regarding the ceasefire between the US and Iran, describing it as a positive milestone.
The participants emphasised that stability in the region was essential not only for the global economy but also for the survival and well-being of humanity.
PTI’s spokesperson said the party sought not merely a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East, but a lasting and sustainable peace.
The meeting’s members also noted Pakistan was set to host an important international conference in Islamabad on Friday, which holds significant importance for regional and global peace. In this context, the political committee decided that, under the current circumstances, priority should be given to diplomatic efforts and the success of peace negotiations rather than holding a public gathering.
The party’s founder also conveyed a message through Barrister Salman Safdar, supporting the decision to postpone the rally. It was confirmed by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan during his speech in the National Assembly.
The PTI spokesperson said a new date for the rally will be announced at an appropriate time following mutual consultation.
*پاکستان تحریک انصاف کی پولیٹیکل کمیٹی کا اہم اجلاس؛ بین الاقوامی صورتحال کے پیشِ نظر لیاقت باغ جلسہ ملتوی کرنے کا فیصلہ*
پاکستان تحریک انصاف کی پولیٹیکل کمیٹی کا ایک اہم اجلاس آج منعقد ہوا، جس میں وزیراعلیٰ خیبر پختونخوا سمیت پارٹی کے سینئر عہدیداران نے شرکت کی۔ اجلاس میں ملک…
— Sheikh Waqas Akram (@SheikhWaqqas) April 8, 2026
Earlier today, the Rawalpindi district administration rejected the PTI’s request for a no-objection certificate to hold a rally at Liaquat Bagh on April 9.
PTI demanded permission as CM Afridi had announced a protest for the date the party was removed from power four years ago, after a no-confidence motion. Following the announcement by PTI, a day earlier, the Rawalpindi district administration also imposed Section 144 for 15 days.
PTI’s Rawalpindi district president, Khan Aqil Khan, was formally informed of the decision. The matter was reviewed in a meeting of the District Intelligence Committee (DIC), which considered the current security situation and potential threats.
A notification issued by the deputy commissioner stated, “Following a comprehensive assessment of the prevailing law and order situation and recent security threat alerts, and feedback from the LEAs (Law Enforcement Agencies), the Committee unanimously concluded that the requested activity cannot be held,” it said.
Furthermore, the DIC in a notification noted that the extensive deployment of police personnel and security resources required to sanitise such a complex area was currently not feasible due to global energy crises and recently notified government austerity measures.
Read: Rawalpindi enforces Section 144 ahead of PTI protest
PTI founder Imran Khan has been in custody since August 2023 and is serving a sentence at Adiala jail in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with the May 9, 2023, protests.
In the past, PTI has staged many protests and rallies, but now the party has intensified calls for his release after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court stated that vision in his right eye had dropped to 15 per cent. Government officials, however, maintain that he is receiving appropriate medical care.
A day earlier, Rawalpindi police registered a case under anti-terrorism provisions against the sisters of Imran, several members of the national and provincial assemblies, and around 1,400 unidentified individuals following unrest on Adiala Road.
According to police, the case was lodged on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Imran Khan, in charge of the Adiala checkpost, and includes charges of attempted murder and resisting law enforcement.
