PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has called on the federal government to engage in dialogue with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ahead of the party’s planned September 27 long march, urging both sides to avoid confrontation and maintain a peaceful political process.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gohar said the government should listen to PTI’s concerns and address political issues through dialogue rather than force. He particularly urged authorities to avoid measures such as the use of net launchers against political workers and said protesters should be given an opportunity to raise their grievances.
Gohar maintained that PTI wanted its political activities to remain peaceful and did not want protesters and law-enforcement personnel to come into confrontation. He said the party had announced its September 27 programme in advance and that there was currently no plan to change it.
The PTI chairman also addressed questions regarding Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. He said Afridi remained the party’s chief minister and had the confidence of PTI founder Imran Khan. According to Gohar, the party supported Afridi on Imran Khan’s instructions.
Gohar also criticised what he described as interference in the affairs of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and called for respect for the province’s constitutional autonomy, elected representatives and political mandate. He further objected to the arrest of provincial lawmakers on what he described as political grounds.
The PTI chairman rejected claims that the planned march was intended to threaten state institutions or Islamabad. He reiterated that the party’s political activities would remain peaceful and said PTI did not intend to target state institutions.
Meanwhile, the federal government has approved the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Islamabad and several districts of Punjab ahead of the planned political activity. Rangers have been deployed in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali to assist police in maintaining law and order and responding to potential security threats.
The deployment was approved following requests from the Chief Commissioner Islamabad and the Punjab government. The Punjab deployment has been authorised until October 5.
According to the government notification, Rangers personnel will coordinate with police and assist in maintaining public order, protecting lives and public property, and responding to violent activities or security threats.
The latest developments come as political tensions remain ahead of the September 27 programme. While PTI leadership is calling for dialogue and a peaceful political process, authorities have also increased security arrangements in Islamabad and parts of Punjab.
