PTI Announces September 27 March to Islamabad as Pressure Mounts Over Imran Khan’s Imprisonment

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party led by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has announced plans to organise a march to Islamabad on September 27 if its demands regarding Khan’s legal cases are not addressed. The announcement was made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur during a public gathering in Peshawar, where party leaders and supporters marked three years since Khan’s imprisonment.

Addressing the rally, Gandapur said the proposed march would go ahead unless what the party described as justice was delivered to the former prime minister. He asserted that PTI had pursued legal and constitutional avenues to secure relief for Khan and would now intensify its campaign through peaceful democratic means if there was no progress.

The Chief Minister called upon party workers and supporters to remain prepared for the mobilisation, describing the planned march as a constitutional exercise aimed at highlighting concerns over Khan’s continued incarceration. He reiterated that the protest would remain peaceful and urged participants to maintain discipline throughout the campaign.

The announcement came amid nationwide demonstrations organised by PTI to mark the third anniversary of Khan’s imprisonment. Party supporters gathered in several cities across Pakistan, demanding his release and alleging that the cases against him were politically motivated. Protesters also called for fair legal proceedings and greater access to the former prime minister while he remains in custody.

Authorities maintained tight security during the demonstrations, with reports of clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel in some locations. Several PTI workers were detained during the protests as security agencies sought to prevent unrest and maintain public order. Officials have not commented in detail on the party’s announcement of the proposed march.

Imran Khan, who has remained in prison for three years, continues to face multiple legal cases. PTI has consistently maintained that the charges against its leader are politically driven, while the government and investigating agencies have rejected those allegations, insisting that the legal proceedings are being conducted in accordance with the law. imposed on the party should be lifted.

India, however, distanced itself from the event, stating that the press conference had been organised privately and did not reflect the views or involvement of the Indian government. New Delhi maintained that it had no official role in facilitating the media interaction and reiterated that the event should not be interpreted as a change in its diplomatic position.

Sheikh Hasina has been staying in India since leaving Bangladesh following the political upheaval in 2024. Since then, the interim administration in Dhaka has repeatedly sought her extradition to face multiple legal cases. India has not publicly indicated any decision regarding those requests.