PESHAWAR: The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has directed its workers to stage protest demonstrations across the province on Sunday (today) to express solidarity with the Prime Minister Imran Khan and against the party’s dissident lawmakers.

The party’s provincial spokesman MPA Zahir Shah Toru told Dawn on Saturday that they had received instructions from the party’s leadership to stage protests against dissident lawmakers across the province to express their unity with the premier.

However, Mr Toru said the there was no plan to take protesters from the province to Islamabad.

Another party official said MPAs, tehsil chairmen, councillors and office-bearers would stage protests in their respective areas all over the province.

He said on Saturday, the party workers took to the streets against the opposition parties’ bid to oust the premier through vote of no-confidence, on which voting is scheduled for Sunday (today).

In Peshawar, a large number of party workers led by provincial minister for transport Shah Mohammad Wazir and minister for social welfare Anwerzeb Khan staged a protest near the press club against the United States and dissident lawmakers.

The protesters were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the US and party’s dissident legislators. The protesters, who were chanting slogans in favour of Prime Minister Imran Khan, also burnt a US flag on the occasion.

Mr Zeb and Mr Wazir insisted the entire nation stood with the prime minister. They said the people of KP also reposed their trust in the premier by voting for the party’s candidates in the second phase of the local body elections in the province.

Another group of protesters led by MPA Fazal Elahi walked to the Suary Pul intersection near the provincial assembly, where they staged a protest.

The protesters initially blocked the Khyber Road for traffic; however, the road was later opened by the police.

PTI workers led by the Nowshera tehsil chairman Ishaq Khattak and MPA Ibrahim Khattak took out a rally to express solidarity with the premier.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2022