PTI announces April 9 rally at Liaquat Bagh, warns of legal action if denied permission

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday announced it will hold a rally at Liaquat Bagh on April 9, warning it would take legal action if authorities deny permission for the event.

The date coincides with the anniversary of the no-confidence motion that removed PTI founder Imran Khan from office in 2022. Khan, 73, has been in jail since August 2023 following convictions that he and his party describe as politically motivated.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and other party leaders, PTI KP president Junaid Akbar said the rally would go ahead as planned, stressing the party’s constitutional right to peaceful protest.

He warned that demonstrations would be held wherever necessary if the rally was obstructed.

Addressing the conference, the KP chief minister said PTI workers were a “political” force and not an “armed mob”, alleging that the ruling Pakistan مسلم League (Nawaz) (PML-N)-led government was attempting to silence the PTI founder.

He urged the government to issue a non-objection certificate (NOC) for the rally, adding that the party would manage all arrangements for the gathering.

Afridi also criticised the federal government over the country’s economic situation, claiming that around 45% of the population was living below the poverty line.

Read More: Case registered against Haleem Adil Sheikh, over 100 PTI workers after Karachi protest

The development comes shortly after opposition leaders held a meeting in the chamber of the National Assembly opposition leader at the Parliament House.

Sources said discussions focused on Senate candidates and the broader protest strategy. The meeting was attended by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Nasir Abbas, and National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai.

Following the meeting, Barrister Gohar said the party would approach the courts if permission for the Rawalpindi rally was denied.

Speaking informally to the media at Parliament House, he said the rally was intended to demonstrate PTI’s commitment to peaceful political activity.