PTI Calls for Nationwide Protests on February 8th to Mark One Year Since General Elections

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has called for nationwide protests on February 8, marking one year since the last general elections. The party aims to rally against alleged electoral fraud and demand a date for fresh elections.

Following the long march on November 24, this will be the first time PTI takes to the streets again, with the primary focus being the alleged manipulation of the electoral process. PTI has instructed its leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to organize a major rally in Swabi, with the participation of party members from northern Punjab as well.

PTI plans to hold a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore, but in case of restrictions, protests will be staged in various parts of the city. Additionally, protests will take place in different districts of Punjab.

What makes this protest unique is the leadership change in PTI’s provincial setup. For the first time, PTI’s Provincial President, Junaid Akbar Khan, will lead the rally instead of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who has faced increasing unpopularity within the party’s worker base.

Sources indicate that Junaid Akbar’s support among the local leadership in northern districts, including Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, and Nowshera, is expected to drive a large turnout for the Swabi rally, making it bigger than previous gatherings. The shift in leadership comes amid growing discontent with Ali Amin Gandapur’s handling of PTI’s affairs in the region.

This protest is also seen as a significant moment for PTI’s student wing, which has been notably more active compared to previous protests. With the current government and its coalition allies at odds with PTI, the party’s February 8 protest could prove to be a major event in the political landscape of Pakistan.