PTI workers take oath to get Khan released

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Saturday made PTI workers take a solemn oath that they would not give up their struggle until the release of their jailed leader Imran Khan.

“I swear that I will not return until PTI founder Imran Khan is released. Regardless of the consequences, even if it costs us our lives, our struggle will continue until we achieve Haqeeqi Azadi (true freedom),” Gandapur said in a fiery speech. during a major PTI rally near the Swabi Interchange on the Peshawar-Islamabad highway.

The Prime Minister further stated that true freedom requires sacrifices. “Our ancestors gave their lives for an independent state, and now we are fighting for true freedom,” he said. “This month, Imran Khan will give a protest call and we will all heed it. We will not return until after his release. We are not afraid of going to jail,” he added.

Rumors are rife that the PTI is coming apart at the seams due to an ongoing tug-of-war within it

the party. Gandapur, however, tried to dismiss reports of infighting saying that all decisions are taken by Imran Khan and everyone submits to it without any ifs or buts.

PTI leaders and workers have been facing the wrath of the government since the May 9, 2023, attacks on security installations in the country. Gandapur accused the federal government of ruthlessly suppressing PTI supporters. “We must have respect for our mothers and sisters,” he told the federal ruling parties, threatening that what goes around comes around.

The Prime Minister revealed that the jailed party founder would issue a protest call in November, and that “everyone will heed his call. We will not return unless our leader is released.” He said they would not relent or relent in their protest even if it cost them their lives or their freedom. He appealed to all PTI supporters to prepare for the protest. Gandapur, who is also a trusted aide of Imran Khan, also took a jibe at the dynastic politics that have brought the country to the brink of economic and social ruin. “The PTI is not a dynastic party, it is a people’s party. We will fight and die for our rights. We will take back real freedom from the ruthless hands of tyrants,” he warned.

While addressing PTI supporters, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Umar Ayub Khan said everyone would submit to the orders of the party’s founder. “Chief Minister Ali Amin, today you are announcing his orders. Everyone must start preparing for our leader’s call from today,” he added.

Another PTI leader Hamad Azhar denounced the unprecedented repression of party leaders and workers in the country during the past two years. “We have never seen such atrocities in this country. Our patience has run out and now we move on. We will follow the Prime Minister’s announcement,” he added.

PTI Chairman Advocate Gohar Ali Khan denounced the “blatant and brazen” rigging in the February 2024 general elections. “Today’s rally is against Swabi mandate thieves,” he said while referring to those who won the elections through manipulation. The party claims there was no level playing field in the elections, yet it defied all odds and won the vote with an overwhelming majority, which was ultimately taken away from it.

Parliament recently amended the constitution to give the government more say in appointing top judges, a move that opposition parties, especially PTI, say is an attempt to erode the independence of the judiciary. “Their constitutional amendments will be annulled by the Supreme Court,” Gohar said, referring to the possible outcome of legal challenges to the 26th constitutional amendment.

PTI supporters on social media have been celebrating the election of Donald Trump in the belief that he could pressure Pakistan to release Imran Khan. This provoked a backlash from federal government officials who derided the PTI for seeking help from the same United States they had blamed for toppling Imran Khan’s government.

“PTI is not looking for help from any country, including the United States,” Gohar said. “More than 200 cases have been filed against the founder of PTI, but these politically motivated cases could not diminish the love for him in the hearts of the people,” he added. “Imran Khan will be released under any circumstances,” he said, pinning his hopes on the courts.