PTI stages protest outside ECP office

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday staged a protest outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office to demand implementation of Supreme Court verdict regarding Senate’s reserved seats and restoration of the ‘stolen mandate.’

PTI’s provincial leadership, including provincial president Junaid Akbar, General Secretary Ali Asghar, Peshawar Region president Muhammad Atif Khan, provincial ministers, MPAs and a large group of workers and Insaf Student Federation (ISF) activists participated in the protest rally.

The crowd chanted slogans demanding the immediate release of PTI founder Imran Khan and the restoration of what they described as the “stolen mandate” of February 8.

In a speech to the crowd, Junaid Akbar stressed that institutions derive their strength from the people and must respect the public mandate. “If there is no trust between the people and institutions, national integrity will be compromised,” he warned. He cautioned that ignoring the people could lead to increasing isolation for institutions. “We’ve always supported our institutions, but the growing disconnects between them and the people is alarming,” Junaid Akbar added.

The PTI president also highlighted the party’s readiness to mobilise in support of Imran Khan.

“We will march to Adiala Jail or D-Chowk on his next call. Our peaceful workers have been unjustly labelled as terrorists, but this land belongs to us, we understand it better than anyone,” he added.

Atif Khan addressed the gathering, revealing that PTI leaders were offered ministries and vehicles before the elections to abandon their cause, offers they rejected in favor of staying true to their principles. “Despite political persecution, our commitment remains unshaken,” Atif Khan said.

He also criticised the state’s use of force against citizens, questioning why weapons purchased for national defense were now being turned on peaceful protesters. “When we bought weapons to defend the nation, the whole country stood united. Now, those same weapons are pointed at us,” Atif Khan remarked.

Ali Zaman Advocate accused the ECP of partisanship, saying, “This Commission acts as a tool for Shehbaz Sharif’s interests. On February 8, this body robbed Imran Khan of his mandate.”

The protesters condemned the ECP for its failure to address the court ruling on reserved seats, delay in resolving PTI’s election tribunal cases, and the denial of Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Slogans such as “Release Imran Khan,” “Return the People’s Mandate,” and “Respect Form 45” were heard throughout the demonstration.

The protest concluded with PTI leaders reaffirming their commitment to peaceful resistance until electoral justice is served, political space is restored, and their incarcerated leader is freed.