LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Differences have emerged within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding the timeline of the launch of protest movement.
“We have to decide in 90 days whether to do politics or not. The [protest] movement will be a do or die [in nature],” Gandapur said while speaking at a press conference in Lahore alongside Salman Akram Raja and other PTI leaders.
On the other hand, PTI Punjab Chief Organizer Alia Hamza raised questions about the movement. Alia Hamza said in a statement, “Will anyone shed light on this? What plan of action was announced yesterday or today for the release of PTI founder?”
She also asked, “Where and how will the PTI protest movement start?”
Aliya Hamza further asked, “Where did the 90-day plan come from compared to the call for protest on August 5? If any of you have noticed anything, please guide me too.”
Gandapur’s remarks come a day after the former ruling party formally launched its anti-government campaign, set to reach its “peak” by August 5, following a high-level huddle in the provincial capital.
Among other objectives, the protest movement is aimed at securing release of party founder Imran Khan, who will complete two years in jail on August 5.
Expanding on the party’s latest protest movement aimed at achieving political goals, CM Gandapur Sunday said that it would be led by the PTI founder, who held the party’s decision-making power.
“We are fighting a war for the people of Pakistan. A fascist campaign is being launched against us again and our constitutional right to protest is being taken away.
“We will seek permission to hold a rally in Lahore tomorrow. Give me permission to hold a rally in Lahore and do not provide any facilities,” he said, adding that he would support anyone willing to hold a rally in KP and would even provide facilities to them.
He once again sent the message of dialogue to ‘beneficiaries and hijackers’ of the government.
He warned it would be a real final show from the PTI in the next 90 days. “Let’s sit together, admit our mistakes, and fix things,” said KP CM.
“State institutions are not meant to do politics,” said Gandapur. He said that it is not the job of state institutions to engage in politics. “State institutions are playing a role in toppling and running governments,” he said.
To a question, he said, “PTI would go all out in this movement whether we remain in government or not as it doesn’t matter to us. We will go to every corner of the country and mobilise the people.”
Gandapur went on to say that the state institutions are engaging in activities that are not their responsibility. “Where are you trying to take this country?” asked Gandapur. “I am the son and brother of soldiers. We must reform our own institutions.”
The PTI founder has always advocated sitting down and engaging in dialogue based on merit and logic. “Imran taught us that politics is not for personal gain but for the betterment of future generations,” he said. Concluding, Gandapur said the PTI founder always spoke about bringing change within 90 days, and from today, those 90 days have begun.
To another question, he challenged JUIF chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to contest election from DI Khan against his brother Faisal Gandapur. “If my brother is defeated, I will quit politics,” said Ali Amin.
Meanwhile, finally, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has issued a notification, expelling five of its MNAs for voting for the 26th Constitutional Amendment last year in disregard to the party policy.
A notification was issued with the signatures of Chairman PTI Barrister Gohar Ali Khan to expel the renegade members of the assembly from the party, according to which those thrown out of the party include Zahoor Qureshi, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, Mubarak Zeb Khan, Ilyas Chaudhry and Usman Ali.
“You are hereby declared to have violated your commitment, oath and loyalty to the party. You voted in favour of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2024, and by conduct have joined another parliamentary party. You are, therefore, expelled from the party forthwith,” the notification says. The party described this violation a ‘flagrant breach of oath, loyalty and parliamentary discipline’.
The development coincided with the launch of PTI’s movement for rule of law, upholding the Constitution, democracy and release of the party leadership, including the founder chairman Imran Khan from jail.
Regarding the expulsion of these lawmakers from the party, it was said that they violated the party instructions not to support the 26th Constitutional Amendment, while the party meeting had unanimously decided to oppose the amendment.
The notification said that the renegade members voted in favour of the amendment on October 21, 2024 and there has been a serious violation of party loyalty and oath.
The notification by Barrister Gohar stated that a show cause notice was issued for not following the party’s instructions and the party took action for not responding to the show cause notice.
The notification also declared that these members deserve disqualification for joining another party and demanded that these members of the National Assembly be disqualified from office as well.
Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has said Gandapur was welcomed as a peaceful visitor, but if he tried to bring armed elements or incite chaos, the government will respond strictly under the law.
She said this in her statement on the occasion of Kashmir Martyrs Day here on Sunday. She paid rich tribute to the struggle and sacrifices of Kashmiri people.
She challenged Gandapur to return with his cabinet and MPAs, saying, “We will show him how garbage is cleaned in Peshawar, how talented students are awarded scholarships, and how hospitals like Nawaz Sharif Hospital are built within a year.” She emphasized that programmes like the laptop scheme reflect the government’s vision for youth empowerment, not hollow slogans for political mileage.
Expressing grief over the loss of 10 precious lives in Swat, Bukhari criticised Gandapur for not offering condolences to the victims’ families, despite previously dramatising sympathy over the Sahiwal incident. She said Gandapur excels in sloganeering and theatrics, but fails when it comes to real challenges.
Azma also criticised PTI’s violent history and current agenda, stating that whether it’s the martyrdom of Punjabis in Balochistan or tragic incidents in Swat, Gandapur has remained completely silent. She strongly condemned the deepfake campaign targeting the Army Chief, declaring such actions the work of enemies of the state.
