Stage set for PTI rally in Mardan to show support for Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to hold a "grand public rally" in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's (K-P) Mardan on Sunday to show support for jailed founder Imran Khan, with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi saying it would be a major show of political strength. Preparations for the rally have been completed, with the stage set up and seating arrangements in place at the Railway Ground. On April 14, on the directions of Imran, the K-P government announced it would hold what Afridi called a "grand public rally" in Mardan to show support for their leader and demonstrate that the PTI founder still enjoyed mass public support. CM Afridi departed for Mardan and was expected to address the gathering along with other party leaders today. In a statement, he said the rally, being held on the call of PTI chairman, would prove to be a “great demonstration of public power”. Authorities have put in place strict security arrangements, with heavy police deployment across the city. A traffic plan has also been issued, with alternative routes designated for commuters. The party had earlier postponed its planned public meeting to be held originally at Liaqat Bagh in Rawalpindi on April 9, due to "Islamabad talks" scheduled that week between the US and Iran. The Rawalpindi district administration had also rejected the PTI's request for a no-objection certificate to hold a rally at Liaquat Bagh on April 9. PTI demanded permission as Afridi had announced a protest for the date the party was removed from power four years ago, after a no-confidence motion. Following the announcement by PTI, a day earlier, the Rawalpindi district administration also imposed Section 144 for 15 days. The party’s founder also conveyed a message through Barrister Salman Safdar, supporting the decision to postpone the rally. Read: Twin cities tighten security, suspend transport ahead of US-Iran talks On April 7, while addressing a press conference at K-P House, Afridi stated that the rally would be aimed at showing the world that Imran, even while in jail, can still mobilise large-scale political activity. "We will prove through this rally that despite all oppression, PTI remains Pakistan's largest political party," he added. He said Imran and Bushra Bibi had been unjustly imprisoned and that the PTI leadership had faced continuous atrocities for years. "On 19 April, we will send a message to Imran Khan in his absence that the nation still stands firmly with him," Afridi said. The chief minister had urged all Pakistanis to participate in large numbers and warned that opponents, particularly "digital touts" on social media, were running negative propaganda to sabotage the event.