Imran Khan Calls for Mass Rally in Peshawar on September 27
PTI Declares Event a Milestone in Push for Khan’s Release
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has urged supporters to join a mass rally in Peshawar on September 27, calling it a demonstration for the nation’s freedom.
The rally, planned near Ring Road Motorway Chowk, will begin at 4 pm. PTI leaders in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have described the gathering as a crucial step in the movement to secure Khan’s release from jail.
Leadership and Preparations
Speaking outside Adiala Jail, Khan’s sister Aleema conveyed his message, saying the rally symbolized a stand for freedom and press rights. She said Imran had assigned responsibility to PTI leaders Ali Amin Gandapur and Junaid Akbar, while party spokesman Faraz Mughal was named the focal person.
Chief Minister Gandapur told reporters that PTI’s struggle would continue until Khan’s release. “The rally will make history. It will be a milestone in the movement for real freedom,” he said.
The announcement followed a planning meeting chaired by Gandapur and attended by PTI’s Peshawar district committee.
Imran Khan’s Message
According to Aleema, Khan emphasized the importance of Pakistan’s ties with Saudi Arabia and the duty of protecting holy mosques. He also criticized the Toshakhana case, saying one witness had been discredited and the evidence was flawed.
Khan repeated his claim that PTI had won a two-thirds majority in the general election but had its votes stolen. “Convicted people have been imposed on the nation. Morality has been buried,” he said. He praised judges who upheld the rule of law and directed his party not to seek dialogue with the military establishment.
“For three years we tried to talk, but instead our party was suppressed. Whoever wants to talk should come to jail,” he said.
May 9 Riots and Military Trials
Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023, triggered nationwide riots, with PTI supporters storming both civil and military buildings. The army labeled the unrest a “Black Day” and vowed to try suspects under the Army Act.
Dozens of PTI leaders and workers were jailed. In December, 25 were convicted by military courts, including Khan’s nephew Hassan Khan Niazi, while 60 more were sentenced later. Some convicts were pardoned in January following mercy appeals, though PTI called the relief insufficient.
The Supreme Court briefly halted military trials, but they later resumed to conclude pending cases.
Toshakhana 2.0 Case
In 2024, Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were indicted in the Toshakhana 2.0 case. The case centers on a Bulgari jewelry set gifted during a 2021 visit to Saudi Arabia, valued at over Rs75 million. Investigators alleged that the couple illegally retained the set and undervalued it, causing a loss of more than Rs32 million to the treasury.
NAB charged the couple under multiple sections of its ordinance, saying the rules required them to pay half the assessed value.
£190 Million Case
Earlier this year, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were convicted in the £190 million corruption case. Khan received a 14-year sentence while Bushra was given seven years. Both were fined, and their Al-Qadir University Project Trust property was forfeited to the state.
The case stems from Rs50 billion—transferred by the UK’s National Crime Agency to Pakistan—that Khan allegedly diverted with cabinet approval in 2019. Investigators say the couple received land worth billions as part of the arrangement.
NAB filed the reference in December 2023 against eight accused, including Khan and his wife. After months of hearings and testimony from key witnesses, the accountability court issued its verdict earlier this year.
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