PTI awaits Imran’s green signal for civil disobedience movement: Gandapur

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced on Sunday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership is awaiting “clear instructions” from its incarcerated founder, Imran Khan, regarding the launch of a civil disobedience movement.

Speaking to journalists in Peshawar, Gandapur clarified that while the movement had been announced by Khan, there is no clarity yet on its implementation. “There is no clarity until now,” he remarked, adding that the party would follow the founder’s instructions in full spirit once received.

Imran Khan, currently imprisoned, earlier this month warned the government of initiating a civil disobedience movement if his demands — including a judicial inquiry into crackdowns on PTI supporters — were not fulfilled.

Gandapur emphasized KP’s historical role in being at the forefront of movements, stating, “The KP is always on the frontline whenever a movement is launched.” However, he admitted that the party had yet to finalize the movement’s phases and starting point.

Imran Khan, through a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), reaffirmed his commitment to the civil disobedience movement, scheduled to start Monday, December 16. He announced the formation of a negotiation committee led by prominent PTI figures, including Omar Ayub Khan, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Asad Qaiser.

Responding to claims of a decline in PTI’s popularity following the abrupt end of its “final call” protest last month, Gandapur dismissed such impressions as baseless. “The party’s support grows every time we take to the streets,” he asserted.

He attributed the lower turnout of some party supporters to fears stemming from the government’s crackdown on PTI leaders and activists.