Gandapur vows nationwide mobilisation as PTI launches new protest movement

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced a new protest movement with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur saying that the party will announce the details later.

In a press conference, held in Lahore on Sunday, Gandapur issued a strong statement against the federal government, alleging ongoing political victimization of PTI and its leadership. He said that incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan has launched a fresh political movement aimed at restoring democratic and constitutional rights in the country.

“If anyone has truly launched a movement in Pakistan, it is Imran Khan,” Gandapur said, adding that PTI has been targeted since before the general elections. He criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for removing PTI’s electoral symbol before the polls, calling it a blatant attempt to sideline the party.

Gandapur described the legal cases against Imran Khan as “bogus and politically motivated,” adding that authorities have “found nothing” against PTI despite continued investigations. “Operations are still underway against us, but they have yet to prove anything. If a conspiracy is proven, hang me in the square,” he said.

He said that it is PTI’s constitutional right to protest. “We are being prevented from exercising our right to peaceful protest. Let it be clear, this movement has begun and will not be stopped”. Gandapur said the “90 days of protest have begun last night” and this campaign will continue to pressure decision-makers into dialogue.

“Talks must happen. The decision-makers will have to come to the table. We are not making any secret deals,” Gandapur said, adding that Imran Khan is ready for talks “for the sake of Pakistan.”

Gandapur vowed that a new political strategy will be finalised by August 5, setting a deadline for the government. “This is not an empty warning. The people have rejected other political parties. If this movement is ignored, we will escalate it,” he said.

The chief minister maintained that the party is prepared to face consequences if any wrongdoing is proven. “If we’ve made a mistake, we are ready for punishment. But if we are innocent, then everyone involved in this persecution must also be held accountable,” he said.

Gandpur said, “We give [the assurance] in writing that there will not be any destruction [during protests]”.

Also read: Opposition leader criticizes Gandapur’s Lahore visit amid unrest in KP