• Spokesperson says Imran decided to postpone rally; Gohar says ‘fully support’ US-Iran negotiations
• TTAP announces nationwide demonstrations on April 25, demands release of political leaders, redressal of Balochistan’s grievances
ISLAMABAD: The PTI called off its April 9 public meeting at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh to support the peace efforts spearheaded by Pakistan to end the Gulf hostilities, while the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) announced nationwide gatherings on April 25 for “constitutional supremacy”.
The development was shared in a statement by the former ruling party after a meeting between incarcerated party chief Imran Khan and his lawyer Salman Safdar at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi. This was a second meeting between Mr Safdar and the PTI chief in recent months.
Party’s Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram told Dawn that Imran Khan had directed the party to postpone the public meeting due to the prevailing national and international situation. Imran Khan will announce the new date for the public meeting or protest, he added. After Iran and the US agreed to a ceasefire, delegations from both countries are expected in Islamabad on Friday for negotiations to put an end to the hostilities.
PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also shared the announcement in the National Assembly. After holding talks with government representatives, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan returned to the lower house and announced that, on Imran’s instructions, the party had decided to cancel the public gathering.
“There come moments of unity in the life of nations. We appreciate all those who have played a role in achieving the ceasefire,” he said, adding that Pakistan had prevented the Muslim world from falling into internecine conflict.
“We hope this ceasefire will turn into a permanent cessation of hostilities. We fully support peace negotiations,” the PTI leader declared.
“Setting aside our grievances, we are moving forward for the sake of the country,” he added.
In another development, a meeting of the TTAP was held at the residence of the alliance chairman and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai in Islamabad.
The TTAP held detailed deliberations on the current political situation in the country, regional developments, the conditions in Balochistan, upcoming protest strategies, and the injustices faced by Imran Khan.
It also announced nationwide, district-level public gatherings on April 25 in support of constitutional supremacy, release of political prisoners, and provision of economic relief to the public.
The movement announced the formation of provincial committees in Punjab and Sindh. Dr Ammar Ali Jan has been assigned responsibility for organisational structuring in Punjab, while Syed Zain Shah will oversee Sindh.
The participants welcomed the two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States and expressed hope that both sides would fully adhere to it, paving the way for lasting peace in the region. They also appreciated the Pakistan-Afghanistan dialogue held in China, stating that meaningful engagement was the most effective path toward regional stability and development.
Expressing grave concern over the situation in Balochistan, the moot demanded an immediate halt to ongoing operations, initiation of confidence-building measures, and restoration of a peaceful democratic environment. They called for the immediate release of leadership and workers of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee as well as the withdrawal of cases against Akhtar Mengal.
The meeting welcomed the Islamabad High Court’s initiative regarding facilitating meetings with Imran Khan and urged the Supreme Court and the high court to conduct daily hearings in all cases.
It also demanded immediate restoration of meetings between the incarcerated PTI leader and his lawyers, family, and political associates, and called upon the Adiala authorities to expedite completion of legal documentation required for Supreme Court proceedings.
They also condemned the treatment meted out to the detained leaders, including Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, Hadi Ali Chattha, Ali Wazir and Samad Wazir, and demanded their immediate release.
Oil prices reduction
The PTI urged the government to immediately reduce oil prices and direct all relevant transport and energy stakeholders to immediately pass through the recent decline in crude oil prices to consumers.
“In the last 24 hours, global oil prices have fallen from around USD 119 per barrel to roughly USD 90 per barrel. This rapid shift must be reflected in pump prices, freight charges, and the cost of essential goods without delay, to relieve inflationary pressure on households and farmers,” said its spokesperson Waqas Akram.
Amir Wasim in Islamabad also contributed to this report
Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2026
