PTI workers convention demands Imran’s release

By Bureau report
|
April 11, 2025
An activist of the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) holds a portrait of Pakistan´s former Prime Minister Imran Khan during an anti-government rally on October 28, 2022. — AFP

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) organised a workers convention at Nishtar Hall, Peshawar on Thursday, where party leaders reiterated their commitment to securing the release of the party’s founding chairman, voiced strong opposition to the proposed amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act, and demanded the immediate removal of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s information adviser.

The event, attended by workers from across the province and members of both national and provincial assemblies, also marked the beginning of a nationwide series of youth conventions.Addressing the gathering, PTI’s provincial spokesperson and MPA Malik Adeel Iqbal said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly would not approve the Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Act until guidance was received from the party’s founding chairman.

“The amendment will remain pending until his opinion is sought,” he said. He added that PTI, being the world’s seventh largest political party, operates through democratic principles where differing views are common, but the final decision always rests with the party leader. “When he issues a directive, the entire party aligns behind it,” he said.

Criticising rival parties, Iqbal remarked, “There are no disagreements in parties like PML-Q because they have more posts than members.”District President PTI Peshawar Irfan Saleem engaged party workers in an enthusiastic exchange, receiving loud affirmations from the crowd.

He categorically rejected the Mines and Minerals Act, military operations, drone attacks, and demanded the resignation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Adviser Barrister Saif, accusing him of working against PTI’s ideology. “Anyone opposing the party’s vision should not represent the provincial government,” he stated.MPA Shafi Jan, in his address, said the February 8 elections marked a turning point, with the youth showing their unwavering support for the PTI leadership.

“This is not the Pakistan of Ayub, Yahya, Zia or Musharraf. This is 2025 Imran Khan’s Pakistan. The youth are ready to face any oppression, but in the end, victory will belong to him,” he said. The convention concluded with calls for unity and mobilisation under the leadership of the founding chairman, as party leaders announced plans to hold similar events in other major cities.