Imran Warns of Civil Disobedience Movement

Web Desk — After the apparent failure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) highly anticipated “do-or-die” protest, the party’s jailed founder, Imran Khan, has warned the government of a potential “civil disobedience” movement if his demands are not met. These demands include a judicial inquiry into the crackdown on PTI supporters.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Imran announced the formation of a five-member negotiation committee. The committee, comprising Omar Ayub Khan, Ali Amin Gandapur, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Salman Akram Raja, and Asad Qaiser, has been tasked with engaging the federal government on two key issues: the release of PTI’s “political prisoners” and the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9, 2023, and the late-night crackdown on PTI protesters on November 26.

Imran declared that if these demands are not met, a civil disobedience movement would commence on December 14, warning that the government would bear responsibility for the consequences.

The protest in Islamabad, aimed at securing Imran’s release after over a year of imprisonment, ended abruptly following a government crackdown. PTI has since claimed that at least 12 party workers were killed and 1,000 arrested during the incident. The government, however, has denied using live ammunition and stated that four law enforcement personnel, including three Rangers and a policeman, lost their lives during the clashes.

In a separate announcement, Imran revealed plans for a “grand gathering” in Peshawar on December 13 to honor what he described as “martyrs” from the Islamabad protest. He also alleged that hundreds of PTI workers remain missing and urged the Supreme Court to intervene, emphasizing the judiciary’s role in safeguarding constitutional rights.

“We have approached the Supreme Court, as well as the Lahore and Islamabad high courts, over grave human rights violations, but no action has been taken,” he lamented.