The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chapter in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced plans to observe “Black Day” on August 5, marking a nationwide protest against the arrest of party founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, the party has firmly decided not to stage a central protest in Islamabad.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Higher Education, Mina Khan, stated that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur will lead the main rally in Peshawar. Simultaneously, rallies and processions will be held in all districts across the province. Convoys from Mardan, Swabi, and Nowshera are expected to converge at the Swabi Interchange, forming a major gathering point for protestors.
Former Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser, along with senior party leader Shahram Tarakai, addressed a press conference in Swabi, announcing that the protest would be peaceful and nationwide. Qaiser described August 5 as a “black day” to express opposition to the unjust imprisonment of Imran Khan. He emphasized that the PTI founder’s release is a legal and constitutional right, alleging that recent court verdicts have been delivered under political pressure.
Qaiser appealed directly to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, urging the judiciary to expedite the legal proceedings concerning Imran Khan and ensure that justice is served. He also criticized the state of parliament, claiming that opposition leaders are being unfairly targeted and disrespected through politically motivated verdicts.
Shahram Tarakai clarified that protesters would carry white flags, along with the national and PTI flags, underscoring the peaceful intent of the demonstrations. However, he warned that if provoked, the party’s workers would respond firmly.
Tarakai also raised economic concerns, urging the government to prioritize trade over repression and calling for the reopening of commercial routes with Afghanistan.
Responding to rumors regarding Chief Minister Gandapur’s resignation, provincial government spokesperson Faraz Mughal clarified that no official instruction had been received from Imran Khan.
Mughal said Gandapur is fully committed to carrying forward the PTI founder’s vision and would step down if and when requested by the leadership. He lamented that despite court orders, Gandapur has been unable to meet Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, describing the situation as deeply regrettable.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, speaking at a separate event in Haripur, reaffirmed that August 5 protests will be decentralized, occurring at the district level, with no march on the capital planned.
Ayub denied reports of Imran Khan demanding Gandapur’s resignation and welcomed the possibility of Khan’s sons returning to Pakistan, assuring full support from the PTI leadership.
Ayub also launched a scathing critique of recent court rulings, labeling the anti-terrorism court’s verdicts against PTI leaders as “a crude joke,” and asserting that no credible evidence linked him to the May 7, 5, or 9 incidents. He claimed to have been with his ailing father on May 7.
Turning to the economic crisis, Ayub accused the current government of mismanagement and corruption, particularly targeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
He alleged profiteering through sugar mills during the ongoing sugar crisis and blamed Naqvi for financial losses caused by wheat imports from Ukraine. He also highlighted the soaring prices of sugar and petroleum products, which he said were eroding public purchasing power.
Overall, the PTI leadership used the August 5 protest announcement to not only challenge Imran Khan’s incarceration but also to amplify grievances related to governance, judicial fairness, and economic hardship.
