Islamabad, February 7, 2025: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that its February 8 protests will be limited to Swabi, ruling out any confrontation as it marks the first anniversary of the 2024 general elections.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja clarified in Islamabad that while the party would hold a rally in Swabi, additional protests would be organized at tehsil and union council levels. He reiterated that PTI had no intention of inciting violence or disorder.
The announcement follows the Lahore deputy commissioner’s (DC) decision to deny PTI permission to hold a public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan, citing security concerns and the city’s pre-scheduled events, including a cricket match, an international speaker conference, and a horse and cattle show.
With thousands of security personnel already deployed in Lahore for these events, authorities have reinforced restrictions on political gatherings.
Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), government officials—including police personnel—have been barred from attending or facilitating political rallies ahead of PTI’s planned protest in Swabi.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur declared February 8 a “Black Day,” vowing to lead a full-scale protest and reaffirming his commitment to securing the release of PTI founder Imran Khan. He warned that any future negotiations with the government would take place only on Imran Khan’s instructions.
PTI had previously engaged in negotiations with the PML-N-led government, but discussions collapsed after the ruling coalition failed to establish a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 riots and November 2024 protests—a key demand from PTI.
After the collapse of talks, PTI, along with other opposition groups, escalated its claims of election rigging, insisting that the 2024 elections stole their mandate.
PTI KP President Junaid Akbar cautioned that the ruling coalition mistook PTI’s willingness for dialogue as a sign of weakness.
In recent months, PTI has staged multiple protests and public demonstrations, which have led to government crackdowns, arrests of party workers, and legal action against its leadership.
