PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced that a major public gathering will be held in the province on April 19, describing the upcoming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally in Mardan as a “historic and defining political event” in the country’s contemporary politics.
In a video message, the Chief Minister said the gathering will send a message to the world that despite what he described as political victimization, imprisonment, and institutional pressure, PTI remains Pakistan’s largest and most popular political party.
He said the rally is being organized on the instructions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and would demonstrate his “enduring political influence, popularity, and continued connection with the people.”
Sohail Afridi claimed that Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been “unjustly imprisoned,” adding that PTI leadership has faced continuous political pressure over recent years. He maintained that despite these conditions, public support for the party has not diminished.
He further stated that the April 19 gathering would demonstrate PTI’s ability to mobilize large-scale political support even in the absence of its leadership, adding that it would send a strong message to the international community regarding Imran Khan’s continued popularity.
The Chief Minister also alleged that opponents have launched propaganda campaigns against the event through digital platforms, but insisted that PTI workers would not be deterred.
He urged party supporters from across the country to participate in large numbers in the rally scheduled for 3:00 PM at Mardan Railway Ground, calling it a demonstration of political strength and public support.
