PTI to Finalise Strategy for September 27 Islamabad March Today
PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to finalise its strategy for the September 27 Islamabad march on Monday, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi convening lawmakers and party office-bearers in Peshawar to discuss mobilisation and protest arrangements.
According to the Express Tribune, PTI lawmakers and office-bearers have been asked to attend a consultative meeting at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar at 2pm. Afridi is then expected to hold a press conference at 5:30pm, where the final plan and schedule for the protest could be announced.
PTI has described its planned mobilisation as a “March in Phases” and says one of its central demands is the release of jailed party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. Party leaders have also framed the protest around constitutional and political demands.
Sources cited by the Tribune said several plans had been prepared for the September 27 mobilisation. Monday’s meeting is expected to consider participation from different districts as well as the responsibilities of lawmakers, party workers and local office-bearers.
Party lawmakers have reportedly been tasked with mobilising supporters, while workers have been advised to bring food, water and mattresses as part of preparations for the march.
The party leadership has also reportedly advised its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lawmakers not to leave the province before September 27 amid concerns that leaders and activists could face detention ahead of the protest. Party sources cited by the Tribune said some Punjab-based PTI leaders could travel to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if arrests intensify.
The preparations come amid increased law-enforcement activity ahead of the protest. Dawn reported that four PTI activists had been detained by Islamabad police, while Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan was detained in Lahore under a 30-day Maintenance of Public Order order.
The federal government, meanwhile, has adopted a firm position on the planned mobilisation. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said authorities will prevent attempts to enter and shut down Islamabad, citing an Islamabad High Court ruling concerning disruption of public roads and movement.
The Islamabad High Court earlier directed provincial chief ministers to ensure that government resources and official machinery are not used for PTI’s September 27 march.
PTI and its opposition allies have maintained that their mobilisation will be peaceful. The Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) has also backed the September 27 protest and said opposition parties would coordinate political and public outreach around it.
With both PTI and the government intensifying preparations, Afridi’s scheduled announcement is expected to provide further details about the party’s route, mobilisation plan and arrangements for September 27.
