The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday announced it is ‘postponing’ a rally planned in Lahore for Aug. 27, with the party leadership maintaining all efforts are currently directed toward ensuring the success of the Sept. 8 rally in Islamabad.
Last week, the PTI—on the directions of party founder Imran Khan—abruptly “postponed” a planned rally in the federal capital, moving it from Aug. 22 to Sept. 8. The sudden decision caught many by surprise as the party leadership was exhorting supporters to reach Islamabad hours before announcing the rally would not proceed owing to the “security” situation. The move had triggered significant backlash from within the PTI, with many supporters accusing the incumbent leadership of not desiring to see Imran Khan freed and kowtowing to the security establishment.
At the time, the party leadership had announced that its Lahore rally would proceed as planned and would be followed by the Islamabad event.
On Sunday, PTI Punjab Information Secretary Shaukat Mahmood Basra announced that the party would announce a new date for the Lahore rally after the public meeting scheduled for Sept. 8 in the federal capital. He said the party was fully focused on ensuring the success of the Islamabad rally.
The decision is likely to further disappoint PTI supporters, who have lamented over their party’s repeated announcements and cancellations of various rallies.