Gohar invites opp to join Sept 27 protest

PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan announced that the party's planned march on September 27 would be a peaceful demonstration seeking justice. He extended an invitation to all opposition parties to join the protest, expressing confidence that the JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the entire joint opposition would participate. Gohar emphasized the march would be free from unrest and not involve government resources.

The PTI holds power in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province. He asserted that the protest aimed to bring about democratic change, with the protection of citizens' rights being a priority. Gohar proposed a "Sulah-e-Pakistan" treaty, similar to the Sulah-e-Hudaybiyyah, to ensure everyone's rights and involve all stakeholders. Concerning the issue of new provinces, he cautioned against rash decisions that could harm the federation, comparing the need for careful consideration to past experiences in the United States and India.

He strongly criticized Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's recent remarks regarding potential new provinces, urging her to retract her statement. Gohar stressed that national security and peace should take precedence over political and personal statements. PTI sources revealed that the party's political committee had instructed Punjab office-bearers and lawmakers to prepare for the September 27 Islamabad protest, with lawmakers tasked to collect funds and mobilize workers.

The visit by K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to Punjab had been postponed due to the protest preparations. Further, workers and lawmakers from central Punjab districts were to gather in Lahore, with a decision on their protest destination pending based on the situation. Members from other Punjab districts would head to K-P, while those from southern Punjab would converge in Peshawar a day prior to the protest.

A PTI leader alleged that police were conducting home raids on party workers and leaders as the protest unfolded.