ISLAMABAD: Despite hurdles put up by the police and the capital administration in their way, a large number of PTI supporters managed to reach the venue in Sangjani to attend a public gathering which had been in the works for several months.

This is the second power show the PTI managed to organise in recent months without its chief, Imran Khan, who is in jail. Besides the residents of Islamabad, a large number of people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and nearby areas attended the jalsa.

However, women, who have always attended the PTI gatherings in large numbers, were conspicuous by their low attendance. The organisers, however, said a good number of women supporters attended the public meeting.

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The spirits ran high among the PTI supporters as party workers danced to the party anthems in and around the arena and raised slogans for the release of former prime minister Imran Khan.

“We are here to show solidarity with Imran Khan. Thousands of people are in love with Imran Khan and they are here to express their support,” a PTI supporter said, adding that the PTI leader had directed workers not to pay heed to any news about the rally’s cancellation like the previous times.

“The party supporters this time were sure that the jalsa would be held. Therefore, they were present here in such a large number,” said Umair Ali, a PTI supporter from Islamabad.

Another participant Haiderullah said that by 4pm, people from Sangjani and Taxila were present in large numbers but the caravans arriving from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa soon filled the venue.

“Without Imran Khan and despite pressure tactics, this jalsa is a big success for us,” he said, adding that thousands of people were present on G.T. Road and the venue was also packed.

Another PTI worker who did not want to be named said the government tried its best to stop the PTI from organising the public gathering and even picked the venue on the outskirts of the capital to damped the spirit of the party workers. He said the crowd present at the venue proved that people ‘love’ Imran Khan and did not fear the repressive tactics of the government.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2024