Peshawar
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government employees have been officially warned not to assist or participate in the planned protest march led by Imran Khan’s party, PTI. The protest, aimed at seeking the release of the jailed former prime minister and addressing various political demands, is set to take place in Islamabad on Sunday.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Secretary Aslam Nadeem Chaudhry and Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Gandapur issued separate letters to government officials, instructing them to refrain from using government resources or participating in the protest. The warning follows a previous incident in October, where government machinery was allegedly used for PTI’s protests.
The federal government has expressed concerns over the use of state resources for political purposes, particularly accusing the PTI-led provincial administration of misusing public servants and finances. The protest is focused on three demands: the release of Imran Khan, allegations of a “stolen mandate” in the February 2024 elections, and the restoration of judicial independence.
Imran Khan’s PTI remains in a tense standoff with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which heads the federal government. Khan, who is facing multiple legal cases, has alleged that the federal government manipulated the elections to deny his party a fair win.
The warning from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa officials aims to prevent any repeat of the previous incident, where officials were involved in political activities during protests.
