Workers convention: Junaid Akbar says PTI ready to take to streets

HARIPUR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) provincial president and Member National Assembly Junaid Akbar Khan has said his party workers are enthusiastic despite state oppression and are ready to take to the streets anytime, anywhere in the country during the current month for the release of their incarcerated leader, Imran Khan.

He expressed these views while addressing the Workers Convention here on Sunday.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, Provincial Minister Arshad Ayub Khan, MPA Akbar Ayub Khan and MNAs Ali Asghar Khan and Ali Khan Jadoon were also in attendance.

He said that after the “state’s coercion” last November, there was a perception among their opponents that party workers had been frightened into giving up their demand for the release of their leader. However, he claimed, this perception proved wrong.

"PTI's workers are more enthusiastic than they were in November 2024, dispelling the impression that they could be scared away by FIRs and kidnappings. They are ready to make every sacrifice for their leader," he said.

Without naming anyone, he said some believed PTI would be led to disintegration through coercive methods and oppression, but the opponents would soon tire instead.

About the next agitation call, he said they were waiting for directions from the leadership regarding the release of Imran Khan.

"The state would be responsible if PTI’s youth decided to agitate without their leadership, as they are now fed up," he added.

He also said he had made 16 attempts to meet Imran Khan, but the Adiala Jail's administration did not allow him.

He expressed hope that he would soon get through and have a detailed meeting with the former premier to receive his final word regarding the next protest call.

The PTI KP chapter chief said the state was not merely a piece of geographical boundary that could remain intact through force and oppression.

"The hatred being sown against state institutions is visible in Balochistan and KP, which is not a good omen and could compel the youth to take to the streets on their own. The responsibility for the consequences would rest with the state," he warned.

Talking about the supremacy of parliament and the Constitution, he said that under the prevailing circumstances, he had lost confidence in both, despite being a democrat and a member of parliament.

Junaid Akbar added that PTI’s mandate had been stolen and its workers and leaders were branded as terrorists and were still being pressured to quit their demand for the release of their leader.

He said the country's future was linked with the leadership of Imran Khan.

MNAs Omar Ayub Khan, Ali Khan Jadoon, and Ali Asghar Khan were prominent among those who spoke to the party workers on this occasion. He also visited Havelian and Abbottabad and led rallies where he addressed party workers the same day.