Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar has made strong remarks regarding the party’s planned long march towards Islamabad, saying that the situation would be different this time.
Addressing a workers’ convention in Mardan, Junaid Akbar said that during the previous protest, PTI workers had returned after carrying the bodies of their fellow protesters, but “this time it will not happen.”
He said PTI workers would march towards Islamabad through multiple routes rather than relying on a single route. According to Junaid Akbar, they would use the motorway and Grand Trunk Road, while also coming down through the Margalla Hills and from Dera Ismail Khan.
Referring to the previous protest, the PTI leader said the party had not been in a position to continue its demonstration after the deaths of its workers. He added that this time, the party would not simply bury its dead and remain silent.
Junaid Akbar also used the phrase “we will turn Islamabad into Somnath” while describing the party’s planned protest.
Reacting to his statement, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said peaceful citizens were free to come to Islamabad through any route, but warned that those arriving as what he described as “terrorists” would not be allowed to return.
Talal Chaudhry said the Islamabad High Court’s orders would be fully implemented and that no illegal action would be tolerated. He added that authorities would not allow any activity in Islamabad that was unlawful or posed a threat to life and property.
Responding specifically to Junaid Akbar’s reference to Somnath, Talal Chaudhry said, “They say they will turn Islamabad into Somnath. We know they have already turned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into Somnath.”
He further said the PTI leader’s statement had revealed what the government viewed as the party’s actual plan for the upcoming protest.
The PTI has announced a long march towards Islamabad for September 27.
The planned protest has already prompted political statements and warnings from both PTI leaders and government officials regarding security, public order and compliance with court directives.
