PTI Convoy Reaches Raiwind Under Leadership of Barrister Gohar and Gandapur

Lahore: A central convoy of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, arrived in Lahore on Saturday. Upon their arrival, a large number of PTI workers gathered to welcome the leaders with flower petals and loud chants in favor of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. PTI leader Zartaj Gul climbed onto the roof of a vehicle, raising slogans demanding Khan’s release.
Heavy police deployment was seen at Shahdara Chowk, where law enforcement arrested four PTI workers including Yasir Gillani. However, Gillani was later released.
A joint parliamentary meeting of PTI’s Punjab and KP chapters was held at a private farmhouse in Raiwind, chaired by Barrister Gohar and Gandapur. During the meeting, the party strategized for its upcoming protest movement set to begin on August 5. Several national and provincial assembly members attended the session.
Before the convoy’s departure, CM Gandapur stated that the purpose of the convoy was to express solidarity with PTI lawmakers de-seated from the Punjab Assembly. He emphasized that the convoy was a peaceful reaction against unconstitutional, undemocratic, and immoral actions. “We come with a message of peace, love, brotherhood, and tolerance — not for confrontation,” Gandapur said. “Our goal is to protect democratic values, not create unrest.”
Gandapur also criticized JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, suggesting he focus on self-reform rather than political rhetoric. Speaking to party leaders in Raiwind, the CM said: “We are launching this movement from Lahore, and historically, movements starting from Lahore have succeeded across Pakistan.”
He also reiterated that their leader (Imran Khan) is unjustly imprisoned without any valid case. “Our strategy must peak by August 5 in accordance with Pakistan’s current political climate,” he added. Gandapur confirmed all arrested workers had been released and criticized the suspension of Punjab Assembly members as unconstitutional.
Gandapur further accused Fazlur Rehman of relying on a fake mandate, claiming most of his MNAs and MPAs were selected through rigged results on “Form 47.”
Meanwhile, internal divisions within PTI surfaced as sources revealed disagreements over Gandapur’s Lahore visit during a recent PTI core committee meeting. No discussion reportedly took place regarding Imran Khan’s release. Core committee members from Punjab expressed frustration over not being informed about the rally in advance. According to insiders, senior PTI leader Mian Aslam Iqbal argued that Gandapur should have taken the GT Road route to build public momentum instead of arriving directly with a convoy of 300 vehicles — which, he said, offered little political advantage.