Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Junaid Akbar has warned the government against using force during the party’s planned September 27 protest and march toward Islamabad.
Addressing supporters in Peshawar, Akbar said PTI workers would approach the capital through multiple routes and claimed the party was prepared for a confrontation if authorities attempted to stop the march. He also used the phrase “we will turn Islamabad into Somnath” while describing the planned mobilisation.
PTI Plans Multiple Routes to Islamabad
Akbar said PTI supporters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would travel toward Islamabad through the motorway and Grand Trunk Road. He also mentioned supporters approaching from the Margalla Hills and Dera Ismail Khan.
He urged residents of Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Attock to join the march, while calling on supporters in cities including Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad and Multan to mobilise locally.
Akbar also said PTI workers would travel to Islamabad even if transport was unavailable, saying they would make the journey on foot if necessary.
Junaid Akbar Refers to Previous Protests
During his speech, Akbar referred to arrests and injuries suffered by PTI workers during previous demonstrations. He said the party had attempted to resolve its differences through dialogue but had not found a way forward.
At the same time, he said PTI did not want the state to become weaker or hatred to increase and stated that he respected state institutions despite disagreements with their leadership.
Following criticism of his remarks, Akbar later said his reference to Somnath had been given a different interpretation. According to Dawn, he said he meant that PTI supporters would continue returning to protest and reiterated that the movement should remain peaceful.
Government Warns Against Violence
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry responded to Akbar’s remarks by saying the government would allow peaceful citizens to come to Islamabad but would take action against unlawful activity.
Chaudhry said the government would follow the Islamabad High Court’s orders and would not allow activities that threaten lives, property or normal life in the capital.
The government has also been preparing security measures in Islamabad and Rawalpindi ahead of the September 27 protest, including the deployment of law-enforcement personnel and placement of containers at some entry points.
PTI Protest Scheduled for September 27
The planned demonstration comes amid continuing political tensions between PTI and the federal government.
PTI says the protest is intended to advance its political and constitutional demands, while government officials have raised concerns about possible disruption and violence. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said the party’s protest will be peaceful and has called for avoiding clashes.
The situation remains fluid as both sides prepare for the September 27 mobilisation.
supernews.pk