The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called off its planned protest rallies scheduled for today (Friday), shifting its focus towards the upcoming power show in Lahore on September 22. Initially, the party had announced countrywide protests in response to the detention of its lawmakers from Parliament House.
PTI leaders revealed that the decision to cancel the protests was made under the guidance of party founder Imran Khan. The move aims to mobilize PTI leaders, workers, and supporters from across the country, including regions like Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, to ensure a strong turnout at the Lahore event.
Punjab PTI’s acting president, Hammad Azhar, announced the postponement of the Friday protest via Twitter, emphasizing that the party’s efforts should now be directed toward preparing for the Lahore public meeting. Despite this, PTI’s central leadership and its official social media handles remained silent on the protest cancellation.
PTI spokesperson Shaukat Basra described the Lahore gathering as a national-level public event, with leaders and supporters invited from all provinces, GB, and AJK. Basra explained that the party is conserving its energy to ensure full participation in the Lahore rally.
Given the past arrests and FIRs against PTI leaders and workers during peaceful protests, the party has decided to avoid further strain on its members and focus on the Lahore event instead. Basra also shared that PTI had applied for official permission (NOC) from the Lahore deputy commissioner for the September 22 rally but had not yet received a response. The party has now approached the Lahore High Court, seeking intervention to obtain the necessary approvals.
Basra emphasized PTI’s determination to hold the Lahore rally regardless of the outcome, asserting that the event will go ahead even without an NOC. He added that PTI leaders and workers remain committed and unafraid, ready to challenge the government with full force.
