The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary and inspector general of police to submit affidavits in a petition challenging the PTI long march planned for September 27. The court’s order came during a hearing on Friday as legal questions were raised about the proposed nationwide protests and the responsibilities of provincial authorities.
The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has announced a nationwide protest campaign leading up to the PTI long march, with party supporters expected to travel towards Islamabad. The main demand is the release of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, who has remained imprisoned since August 2023.
IHC Seeks Affidavits
During the hearing, the court directed the KP chief secretary and police chief to provide affidavits in response to the petition. The case seeks to challenge the proposed PTI long march and raises concerns about how authorities will manage the planned political activity.
The proceedings also included a dispute over the court’s jurisdiction. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General questioned whether the IHC had the authority to deal with certain aspects of the matter. He also raised concerns about alleged non-compliance with previous court orders and complained about cases not being fixed for hearing.
Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar responded to the issue of case scheduling, asking whether the court should fix cases at the request of a party. He observed that fixing cases is part of the court’s administrative authority.
Following the discussion, the court adjourned the hearing until September 14.
PTI Preparing for September 27
The planned PTI long march is part of a broader political campaign announced by the party. PTI has called for nationwide protests and intends to mobilise supporters before the September 27 event.
The party says the campaign is aimed primarily at securing the release of Imran Khan and demanding immediate medical treatment for the former premier. PTI leaders have repeatedly maintained that the cases against their founder are politically motivated, while the legal proceedings remain subject to the courts.
The planned mobilisation could bring renewed political activity to Islamabad, making the role of federal and provincial authorities an important part of the ongoing court proceedings.
PTI Plans All-Parties Conference
Alongside preparations for the PTI long march, the party has decided to hold an all-parties conference in an effort to broaden political engagement. PTI has reportedly contacted the Pakistan Peoples Party and other political groups as part of this effort.
A PTI delegation also visited the residence of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Discussions reportedly covered the opposition’s parliamentary role and other broader political matters.
The outreach indicates that PTI is attempting to build political support beyond its own organisational structure before the September protest. Engagement with other opposition parties could also influence the wider political debate surrounding Imran Khan’s imprisonment and the planned mobilisation.
KP Leadership and Sindh Mobilisation
The latest court proceedings come after KP Chief Minister Afridi led a five-day PTI mobilisation campaign across Sindh. The campaign was aimed at building public support for the party’s demands, including the release of Imran Khan and his immediate medical treatment.
PTI has continued to use political mobilisation as a way to pressure the government and highlight its concerns regarding the former prime minister. The party’s decision to combine public protests with political consultations suggests a broader strategy ahead of September 27.
The PTI long march therefore remains both a legal and political issue. While the party is preparing its supporters, authorities are expected to consider questions surrounding public order, security and the implementation of court directions.
Imran Khan Remains Central to PTI Campaign
Imran Khan, 73, has been imprisoned since August 2023 following convictions that he and his party have described as politically motivated. Since his removal from office in April 2022, he has faced multiple legal cases.
Some of his convictions have been suspended or overturned, while several appeals remain pending. His imprisonment continues to be one of the central issues in Pakistan’s political landscape and remains a key factor behind PTI’s protest campaigns.
As the September 14 hearing approaches, the affidavits from the KP chief secretary and inspector general of police could provide further details about the authorities’ position regarding the proposed mobilisation.
The PTI long march remains scheduled for September 27, while the Islamabad High Court continues to examine the legal challenges surrounding the planned event. With PTI also reaching out to other political parties, the coming weeks could bring further developments in both the courts and Pakistan’s political arena.
