PTI workers swear oath to get Khan released

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Saturday made PTI workers to swear a solemn oath that they would not budge in their struggle until the release of their jailed leader Imran Khan.

"I swear that I will not return until PTI founder Imran Khan is released. Regardless of the consequences, even if it costs us our lives, our struggle will continue until we achieve Haqeeqi Azadi (real freedom)," Gandapur said in a fiery speech at a huge PTI rally near the Swabi Interchange on the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway.

The chief minister further stated that real freedom demands sacrifices. "Our forefathers gave up their lives for an independent state, and now we are fighting for real freedom," he said. "This month, Imran Khan will give a protest call, and we will all respond to it. We will not return until his release. We are not afraid of going to jail," he added.

Rumours swirl that the PTI has been breaking at the seams due to an ongoing tug of war within

the party. Gandapur, however, sought to dismiss reports of infighting, saying that all decisions are taken by Imran Khan and everybody submits to them without ifs and buts.

PTI leaders and workers have been facing the government's wrath since the May 9, 2023 attacks on the security installations in the country. Gandapur accused the federal government of ruthlessly oppressing PTI supporters. "We must have respect for our mothers and sisters," he said before menacingly the federal ruling parties that what goes around comes around.

The chief minister revealed that the incarcerated party founder would give a protest call in November, and "everyone will heed his call. We will not return unless our leader is released." He said that they would not budge or relent in their protest, even if it cost them their lives or their freedom. He called upon all PTI supporters to prepare for the protest. Gandapur, who is also a trusted aide of Imran Khan, also took a jibe at the dynastic politics which has pushed the country to the brink of economic and social ruination. "The PTI is not a dynastic party, it a people's party. We will fight and die for our rights. We will wrench back real freedom from the unrelenting hands of tyrants," he warned.

While addressing PTI supporters, opposition leader in the National Assembly Umar Ayub Khan said that everyone would submit to the orders of the party's founder. "Chief Minister Ali Amin, today you will announce his orders. Everyone must start preps from today for our leader's call," he added.

Another PTI leader Hamad Azhar denounced the unprecedented oppression of party leaders and workers in the country over the past two years. "We have never seen such atrocities in this country. Our patience has run out, and now we will move forward. We will follow the announcement made by the chief minister," he added.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan denounced the "blatant and brazen" rigging in the Feb 2024 general elections. "Today's rally is against the mandate thieves of Swabi," he said while referring to those who won the election through rigging. The party alleges that it wasn't allowed a level-playing field in the election, yet it defied odds and won the vote with an overwhelming majority which, in the end, was stolen from it.

The parliament recently amended the Constitution to give the government greater say in the appointment of top judges in a move that opposition parties, especially PTI, alleged is an attempt to erode independence of the judiciary. "Their constitutional amendments will be annulled by the Supreme Court," Gohar said while referring to the possible outcome of legal challenges to the 26th constitutional amendment.

PTI supporters on social media have celebrated the election of Donald Trump believing he might pressure Pakistan into releasing Imran Khan. This triggered a backlash from federal government functionaries who mocked the PTI for seeking help from the same United States which it had blamed for toppling Imran Khan's government.

"PTI does not seek help from any country, including the United States," Gohar said. "More than 200 cases have been filed against the PTI founder, but these politically motivated cases could not diminish love for him in the hearts of people," he added. "Imran Khan will be released under all circumstances," he said while pinning his hopes on the courts of law.