Gandapur calls Sept 27 PTI rally ‘decisive for nation’
RAWALPINDI:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally on September 27 in Peshawar will determine where the nation stands, urging party workers to show up in force.
Speaking outside Adiala Jail on Monday after he was not allowed to meet PTI founder Imran Khan, Gandapur said the Peshawar gathering will be a decisive moment for the country, adding, “Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is the heartland of PTI — everyone must come out.”
The K-P CM stated that the PTI founder and his wife are facing false cases, saying all of them are fabricated. He highlighted that he attempted to meet Imran Khan at Adiala Jail but was denied permission. “What is the motive behind blocking meetings? Preventing these visits is only creating rifts within the party,” he said.
Referring to the rally in Peshawar, he said it is now crucial for the party’s future. “If we want real freedom, we have to stay united — this is still the PTI founder’s message. We cannot afford infighting or pulling each other down,” he stressed. “Without strength, neither negotiations happen, nor wars are won.”
He warned that further restrictions on communication with party leadership could worsen tensions. “After today’s press talk, maybe I won’t be allowed to meet him [Imran Khan] again,” he said. “But we must resist. If there is no Constitution or law, then resistance is our only option.”
Calling for unity ahead of the rally, Gandapur added, “Come two days early if you must — we will host you. But everyone must stand together in Peshawar on the 27th.”
Meanwhile, Imran’s sister Aleema Khan has accused authorities of deliberately delaying proceedings in the Toshakhana 2.0 case by presenting “false witnesses” in court.
Speaking to media outside Adiala Jail after a hearing, she said the charges against the PTI founder were politically motivated and legally flawed. “They are wasting time by bringing false witnesses in Toshakhana 2.0 — and the punishment for false testimony is seven years in prison,” she claimed.
She also alleged that only a few media representatives are allowed inside the courtroom, and even they are not permitted to report freely, adding the PTI founder is being denied basic rights, including communication with his children.
On the broader political and security situation, she stressed the need for a multi-stakeholder dialogue to address rising militancy in K-P.
“You cannot end terrorism by expelling Afghans from Pakistan. They were pushed out forcibly. To bring peace to K-P, the Afghan government, local tribes, and our own government need to sit together,” she said, adding that Pakistan’s armed forces, police, and civilians continue to pay the price for unrest.
Calling for party unity, Aleema urged all MNAs and MPAs from K-P to stand with CM Gandapur and voiced support for constitutional resistance.