Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Sohail Afridi has said the Islamabad long march will take place on September 27 adding that people will come out in large numbers this time.
Speaking at a press conference with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, Afridi said they were democratic and peaceful people.
He said the PTI had used all constitutional, legal and democratic avenues. However, he alleged that Supreme Court orders were being ignored.
Afridi said he had not staged any major protest since becoming chief minister. He added that the party’s concerns were still not being heard.
He said peaceful protest was the last option and the PTI would continue with it.
“My Constitution and my law allow me to hold peaceful protests,” he said. He added that if peaceful protests were not allowed, the relevant constitutional provision should be removed.
Afridi said the PTI had announced the long march for September 27 and would march peacefully towards Islamabad.
He alleged that attempts would be made to stop the movement by arresting Imran Khan’s sisters, party leaders and lawmakers.
“But this will not stop us. People will come out in large numbers this time,” he said.
Afridi said the authorities had failed to intimidate the PTI over the past four years.
He said all details about the long march would be announced on September 25.
“We will move towards Islamabad peacefully. We will have nothing in our hands,” he said.
He added that the PTI wanted to resolve the issue through political means.
No destruction or confrontation
Barrister Gohar said the PTI had remained peaceful and would continue to do so.
“We are being punished for remaining peaceful,” he said.
Gohar said the party had approached courts and raised its concerns in parliament. However, he alleged that PTI lawmakers, ministers and other leaders were being arrested.
He said the PTI was not going to Islamabad to create destruction or confrontation.
“We will not take the law into our hands. Pakistan comes first for us,” he said.
Gohar said the party had demanded medical treatment, meetings and justice for Imran Khan.
He said the PTI had not ended communication with the authorities.
“We want the state to value the feelings and concerns of the people,” Gohar said.
He also appealed to the public to remain calm, saying the march would be peaceful.
“No bullets will be fired. We will come out peacefully for our rights,” he said.
Gohar said the PTI would not use government resources during the march, in line with Islamabad High Court orders.
The PTI has already announced September 27 for its planned long march towards Islamabad. Recent reports also indicate that the party is finalising its protest strategy and mobilisation plans.
