Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Vows to Open Blocked Roads Amidst Protests for Imran Khan’s Release

Peshawar: Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, has vowed that his government will open any roads blocked by the federal or Punjab governments in their efforts to suppress protests. Speaking to the media after arriving at the Peshawar Toll Plaza, Gandapur declared that the movement for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan had already begun, emphasizing the widespread public support for the cause.
Gandapur stated, “No matter how many roads they block, we will open them. We are determined to reach D-Chowk, no matter how much time it takes. Even if they resort to violence, the people have come out, and we will not back down.”
He further added that they would continue their protests at D-Chowk in Islamabad until all demands, including the release of Imran Khan, were met. According to the Chief Minister’s spokesperson, they would not rely on government machinery to clear blocked roads but instead use private machinery to ensure access to Islamabad for their protests.
In response to the planned protests, the federal government has made it clear that no one would be allowed to hold protests or sit-ins in Islamabad in accordance with court orders. Violators of this restriction would face legal action.
In preparation for the protests, major routes, including motorways, highways, and roads leading to Islamabad, have been sealed. The internal roads of Islamabad, including the Murree Road, have been dug up, and additional police and Frontier Constabulary (FC) forces have been deployed along the borders of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to prevent protesters from reaching the capital.
The ongoing standoff highlights the escalating political tensions between the ruling coalition and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as they continue to contest the legal fate of Imran Khan.