Afridi Threatens Islamabad March as PTI Protests

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf marked the third anniversary of founder Imran Khan’s arrest with protests and rallies across the country on Wednesday, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi warned that the party could march on Islamabad next month if its demands were not met.

The PTI held gatherings in several cities as the party sought to spotlight Khan’s detention and the restrictions it says are being placed on his meetings with lawyers, family members and political leaders. According to Dawn, the day’s main rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa drew a large crowd and was addressed by CM Afridi, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and provincial president Junaid Akbar Khan.

Afridi sets Sept. 27 deadline

In his speech, Afridi said the party would move towards Islamabad on Sept. 27 if Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, did not get what he described as a hearing on merit in their cases. He also demanded that meetings with doctors, friends, lawyers and political leaders be restored.

Afridi argued that if the judiciary were independent, Khan would be released quickly. Without naming any judge or court, he warned that PTI would take action if its concerns were not addressed.

He also urged young people to stand up for their future and said they could not rely on help from abroad.

Protests reported in Lahore and Karachi

The party’s demonstrations were not limited to Peshawar. PTI said one member of the National Assembly, four members of the Punjab Assembly and several workers were arrested in Lahore. In Karachi, police used tear gas and baton charges against protesters, and 10 workers were detained, according to the feed summary.

The reported arrests and police action highlight the tensions surrounding the anniversary protests, which PTI used to renew pressure on the government and the judicial system.

Anniversary protests keep pressure on government

Imran Khan has remained a central figure in Pakistan’s political debate since his arrest, and PTI continues to use public mobilization to keep attention on his legal cases and detention. Wednesday’s rallies showed the party’s ability to organize support in multiple cities even as law enforcement responded in some locations.

Dawn reported that the day’s events were framed by PTI as a political show of strength and a call for what the party says is fair treatment for its founder and his wife.

For now, the key question is whether the party follows through on Afridi’s warning and whether the authorities respond to the renewed pressure before the September deadline.