ISLAMABAD: Sister of PTI founder Imran Khan Aleema Khan on Thursday has called on Pakistan’s youth, students, and social media activists to support her brother’s planned protest on November 24.
Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi, Aleema urged young Pakistanis to mobilize for what she described as the “final round” in the party’s campaign for political change. She emphasized the protest as a constitutional right and encouraged the younger generation to stay committed to the country, resisting any urge to leave.
Aleema noted that support for the protest extends beyond Pakistan, with overseas Pakistanis pledging to hold rallies globally. According to her, Imran Khan has devised a strategy for the protest and urged his supporters to remain resilient, even in the face of government obstacles. She also mentioned that Imran’s call to action includes people of all ages and regions, from “80-year-old aunties” to residents in Karachi and Quetta.
Expressing concerns about possible government interference, Aleema highlighted that PTI is prepared to overcome any challenges. She specifically accused Maryam Nawaz of attempting to block the protest through “unconstitutional means” but reassured that PTI supporters are resolute and will reach Islamabad regardless of potential arrests.
Aleema affirmed that PTI lawmakers would lead the demonstration, signaling the party’s commitment to their supporters.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has stated that the November 24 protest will continue until PTI’s demands are addressed. According to Aleema, this plan aims to reassert the people’s rights and bring about substantial change.
It may be recalled that both Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan were arrested from a protest on October 4 from D-Chowk ahead of the party’s scheduled protest in the capital.
The police had taken both the sisters of the incarcerated PTI founder into custody and shifted them to the Secretariat police station. They were arrested along with other workers who had gathered at D-Chowk as part of the planned protest announced by the PTI founder.
In a related statement, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also expressed commitment to the movement.
Speaking in Peshawar, he affirmed that his government would lead a peaceful demonstration to “claim our rights” in Islamabad. Gandapur explained that protest preparations are underway, stressing that K-P will not be deterred by federal resistance.
While Gandapur withheld specific details about the protest strategy, he assured that it would be both effective and nonviolent.
He criticized the federal government’s frequent use of force during past demonstrations, asserting that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s resolve remains firm in asserting its constitutional right to peaceful protest. Avoiding comment on ongoing court proceedings, Gandapur underscored that his province’s commitment to peaceful demonstration remains strong.
Just a day earlier, Gandapur had strongly backed Khan’s call for a nationwide protest scheduled for November 24 in Islamabad, saying there would be “no turning back” in PTI’s struggle for what he called the “restoration of democracy and the rule of law” in the country.
He had echoed Khan’s assertion that this protest would be crucial for Pakistan’s political future. He emphasized that this protest was not just about the release of party leadership, including Imran Khan himself, but about standing up for the very essence of Pakistan’s democracy.
He also warned that PTI’s determination to press on with the protests was unwavering, suggesting that the government’s attempts to block or delay the movement would only strengthen the resolve of the party’s supporters. “There is no turning back now. The government will be held responsible for any consequences that arise from this protest,” Gandapur added, signaling that PTI’s position on the matter was firm.
The call for protests on November 24 follows a turbulent few months for the PTI, which has been embroiled in political and legal battles since Imran Khan’s arrest in August 2023 on charges related to corruption and other offenses.
Since then, the party has staged a series of rallies and demonstrations across Pakistan, many of which have been met with resistance from the government, including the use of Section 144 and other measures to restrict public gatherings.
