BAJAUR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf central vice-president Sher Afzal Marwat here on Saturday insisted PTI workers would take revenge for the ‘suffering and injustices’ they have been subjected to by bringing the party into the power in the centre and the provinces after the Feb 8 elections.

Addressing a workers’ convention in Raghagan area of Khar tehsil, he claimed the post-May 9 ‘highhandedness’ unleashed on the party leaders and workers had boosted the party’s standing across the country. He added the imprisonment of party chairman Imran Khan had made him the ‘most popular leader’ in the country.

“A large number of PTI workers and leaders have faced great hardships and injustices but the brave and committed workers would take revenge for these troubles in the Feb 8 elections as democracy was the best revenge,” said Mr Marwat.

A large number of party activists from across the district attended the convention held at the hujra of former provincial minister Anwarzeb Khan despite the district administration’s refusal to grant permission for it.

Party holds workers’ convention in Bajaur despite restriction

Mr Marwat claimed PTI was the lone party in the country struggling for ‘promotion’ of democracy, rule of law, supremacy of Constitution and people’s rights despite facing huge challenges.

He said Imran Khan and PTI were loyal to the country and its institutions, saying Imran had always worked for betterment of country and its residents.

However, Mr Mrwat said those who were making remarks against the institutions on social media had no association with PTI and Imran Khan.

“Let me share with you some important sayings of Imran Khan, which he told me in jail, that he (Imran) stood by security forces, and those making negative remarks against the army on social media had no affiliation with PTI, and the party disowned such elements,” the PTI leader said.

Mr Marwat accused the caretaker government of planning to bring PML-N in power. He claimed the caretaker government was using all means to re-impose Nawaz Sharif on the country. He said the caretakers’ only mandate was to conduct the elections in free, fair and transparent manner.

The PTI leader also flayed JUI-F emir Maulana Fazlur Rahman for wanting to delay the elections, terming it unjustified, shameful and an attempt to run away from polls.

Mr Marwat lauded the PTI activists for making the workers’ convention a success despite restrictions imposed by the district administration.

He claimed it was the most crowded workers’ convention in the entire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He also criticised the local administration and police for creating hurdles in the way of convention.

Former provincial ministers Shakeel Khan, Anwarzeb Khan, former PTI local lawmakers Gul Zafar Khan, Gul Dad Khan, Ajmal Khan, and Nawagi tehsil council chairman Dr Khalilur Rahman also addressed the gathering.

The charged activists raised slogans in favour of Imran Khan and Sher Afzal Marwat.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2023