Pakistan former Prime Minister Imran Khan's PTI Announces Mass Rally in Peshawar on December 13

Imran Khan's PTI Announces Mass Rally in Peshawar on December 13

Islamabad – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced plans for a large rally in Peshawar on December 13, in honor of those killed during clashes between PTI supporters and security forces in Islamabad. The rally will pay tribute to the lives lost during the violent confrontations in recent weeks, according to a report by Dawn.

The announcement comes after Imran Khan’s call for nationwide protests on November 13, which culminated in the PTI issuing an “ultimate call” to the government on November 24. Khan demanded the restoration of PTI’s electoral verdict, the release of party leaders and activists, and the repeal of the 26th Amendment, which he has previously criticized for paving the way for authoritarian rule in the country.

Clashes and Casualties

PTI supporters and security forces clashed violently in Islamabad on November 27. PTI claimed that 12 of their supporters were killed in the confrontations, a claim that the government has repeatedly denied. Authorities maintained that security forces had been deployed without live ammunition. However, Khan accused the state of using terrorism tactics against his supporters, calling it a case of "state-sponsored terrorism." He further stated that the country had descended into authoritarianism.

In his message, Imran Khan also expressed concerns over the continued disappearance of several hundred PTI leaders and workers, urging the Supreme Court to intervene and fulfill its constitutional role in addressing human rights violations.

PTI's Demands and Proposed Talks

In addition to announcing the rally, Imran Khan named five PTI leaders – Umar Ayub Khan, Ali Amin Gandapur, Sahibzada Hamid Raja, Salman Akram Raja, and Asad Qaiser – who will represent the party in talks with the federal government. The two key issues for discussion are the release of political prisoners facing trial and the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the incidents of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024.

Khan warned that if the government fails to meet these demands, PTI will launch a nationwide citizen’s unrest movement starting on December 14. He made it clear that the government would be held accountable for the consequences of such a movement.