PESHAWAR: The convoys of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf workers from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa left for Islamabad on Sunday to participate in the protest at D-Chowk.

The rallies, led by lawmakers of their respective districts including Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Malakand and tribal districts, gathered at the rest area near Kernal Sher Khan Interchange, Swabi, to leave for Islamabad.

A convoy comprising hundreds of vehicles departed from Dera Ismail Khan, the hometown of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, left for Islamabad through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route to participate in a protest.

The convoy was led by city mayor Umar Amin Gandapur. Another convoy of PTI workers from Balochistan, led by Salar Khan Kakar, also joined the Dera convoy. Convoys from Tank and South Waziristan also joined the procession at CPEC York Interchange.

Party leaders say their protest is peaceful

The main highway connecting Dera Ismail Khan to Punjab was closed at Dera-Darya Khan bridge since Saturday evening, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.

Participants from southern Punjab travelled through alternative rural routes to join the main convoy while those from Balochistan and Punjab were accommodated at the youth hostel of Ratta Kulachi Stadium, where food and lodging were arranged for them.

Talking to journalists before leaving, Umar Amin Gandapur urged law enforcement agencies to refrain from using excessive force against protesters. “Police are meant to protect citizens, not attack them with tear gas,” he said.

He vowed to reach D-Chowk despite obstacles. “Our destination is D-Chowk, and we will fight until we get there. We are unarmed and will not be deterred by beatings or hurdles,” he added.

In Charsadda, convoys of PTI workers also left the district to participate in the protest.

MNA Fazal Mohammad Khan said on the occasion that peaceful protest was their constitutional right. “We will continue our struggle until release of Imran Khan and other leaders and workers,” he added.

He said that their protest was peaceful and they would try not to cause any damage to public and private property. “If we are not allowed to go to Islamabad, then we will stage a sit-in wherever we reach, thus blocking the entire Pakistan,” he added.

The lawmaker said that government blocked the entire Pakistan and it was beyond their understanding as to how long it would continue to block the whole country. He said that the protest would continue until the return of their stolen mandate and release of all political prisoners.

“We will follow any order of our party high command,” he said.

In Bajaur, PTI workers left for Islamabad at 9am. They are led by MPAs Anwarzeb Khan, Dr Hamidur Rehman and Ajmal Khan, former MNAs Gul Zafar Khan and Guldad Khan and Nawagai tehsil council chairman Dr Khalilur Rehman.

Holding party flags and pictures of Imran Khan, PTI workers were seen excited to participate in the protest in federal capital.

The leaders of the protesters said on the occasion that they would reach the venue of sit-in in the federal capital at all costs by facing all the challenges.

In Battagram, the workers of PTI were led by MPA Taj Mohammad Khan and MNA Prince Mohammad Nawaz Khan.

MPA Taj Mohammad Khan on the occasion said that PTI workers from around the country were going to Islamabad on the call of Imran Khan. He said that they were not going to ignite war between people and state. “We are going with clear agenda to accept our rights and release Imran Khan,” he added.

MNA Prince Mohammad Nawaz Khan said they that they were demanding their stolen mandate. “We are demanding supremacy of Constitution and rule of law in the country,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2024