ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s opposition political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), workers have begun a high-stakes ‘long march’ toward the capital, Islamabad, demanding the release of the party founder, Imran Khan.
The main march, which began in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), has gained momentum, with PTI convoys moving from across the country toward the capital.
Despite heavy police resistance, party officials and supporters are continuing their march toward Islamabad.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that the law will not be compromised. Those who attempt to disrupt peace will face the full force of the law.
Naqvi said that the government had taken all necessary steps to handle any situation that may arise from the protest.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, a senior PTI figure, led a convoy that reached Swabi. Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi also joined the march in a show of solidarity with the party’s base.
“If we expect workers and their families to join, then Khan’s family must lead by example. We will achieve the objectives set by Khan,” Bushra Bibi declared, reinforcing her support for the movement.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said that the protest, after reaching Islamabad, will continue until all demands are met.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has strongly criticised PTI for what he described as a politically motivated protest that undermines the dignity of the country. “For God’s sake, spare Pakistan from your disruptive politics,” Dar added.
Meanwhile, convoys from Abbottabad, Haripur, and Peshawar, have joined the protesters, with large crowds expected to converge in Islamabad.
Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan led a convoy from Haripur despite facing roadblocks.
The PTI shared videos of supporters from various regions, including Buner, Bajaur, and Karak, leaving for the capital.
The government, which has sought to contain the protests, has taken strict measures to prevent the march from reaching Islamabad.
The Punjab government severed key transportation links between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the closure of major roads, highways and motorways.
At the same time, police have ramped up efforts to stop the protesters. Security personnel from the Frontier Constabulary, Rangers, Punjab, Sindh and Islamabad police are deployed in the federal capital to stop the PTI protest.
Crackdown Against PTI Supporters in Punjab
Authorities have launched a crackdown in Punjab, with dozens of PTI leaders and supporters detained in cities such as Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, and Rawalpindi.
In Multan, police arrested prominent PTI lawmakers including Malik Aamir Dogar and Zain Qureshi along with hundreds of workers, while in Rawalpindi, over 110 PTI activists were detained, and roads were blocked with containers.
While the police crackdown has intensified, PTI leaders have vowed to continue their march.
The government’s efforts to curb the protests come amid growing fears of escalating unrest, with the potential to destabilise an already tense political environment.
Ministers Condemn PTI’s Protest Against National Interest
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi conducted an aerial inspection of the Swabi-Pathargarh motorway section and expressed satisfaction with the government’s preparations to maintain order.
“We are fully prepared to ensure the safety and security of the public,” Naqvi said. Security measures were in place in compliance with the Islamabad High Court’s orders to stop PTI protest. He commended the performance of law enforcement agencies, including the Frontier Corps (FC) and Rangers, for their diligence in securing the region.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that the law will not be compromised. Those who attempt to disrupt peace will face the full force of the law, Naqvi said that the government had taken all necessary steps to handle any situation that may arise from the protest.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar toured Islamabad on Sunday and reiterated the government’s stance on the protests, stating that any attempt to disrupt public order would be met with arrests.
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He accused PTI of using the protests to secure an NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) for its leader, Imran Khan, and criticized the party for undermining Pakistan’s economic recovery.
“PTI’s protests are nothing more than an attempt to destabilize the country,” he said, highlighting the government’s success in reducing inflation and improving the policy rate.
Tarar also referred to the May 9 attacks on state installations, emphasising that it was the government’s duty to maintain law and order. “PTI should focus on the issues in Kurram and restore peace there,” he added, reaffirming the government’s commitment to welcoming international delegations, including the Belarusian delegation, to further Pakistan’s development.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned PTI that any violent protest actions would be met with a decisive government response.
