By: Ghulam Hussain Ghazi
In Peshawar, PTI’s grand rally on the evening of September 27 carved a new chapter in our political history. This gathering not only proved to be a milestone in national politics but also emerged as a vibrant testament to Pakistan’s democratic struggle at the global level. From behind prison bars, a single call by the party’s imprisoned leader brought forth a sea of people, painting a living portrait of PTI’s popular appeal and democratic resilience. All this unfolded despite the crackdowns and pressure from the party’s political opponents in the federal and Punjab governments.
Through the foresight of its host and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, this rally transformed into a globally acknowledged political document, one that safeguards provincial rights while laying the foundation of national unity. The success and wide recognition of this event highlighted Gandapur’s political and administrative capabilities, proving that it was not merely a rally but a golden chapter in Pakistan’s political arena.
Though the foundation of the rally’s success lay in the unwavering appeal of PTI’s jailed leader, the planning and execution bore the hallmark of Ali Amin Gandapur’s administrative acumen. In the heart of Peshawar, on Ring Road, excellent traffic management and tight security arrangements were in place, involving 1,451 police personnel, 508 traffic wardens and police snipers stationed on nearby rooftops. Despite every obstacle and coercion by opposing governments to prevent attendance, participants arrived in groups of thousands from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. Women’s presence was particularly remarkable while Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi enhanced the rally’s spirit by choosing to stand among the ordinary crowd instead of appearing on stage.
Though the event was not broadcast on TV channels, live streaming on social media especially on X, Facebook and YouTube, carried it to millions worldwide. Hashtags such as #Peshawar_PowerShow, #RevolutionCallFromPeshawar and #PeopleReferendumOnKhansCall went viral overnight. Commentators remarked that “nothing can dent Imran Khan’s popularity.” After ten months of political silence, this was the first major show of strength, proving PTI’s movement alive and its workers united.
At the national level, the rally turned into a referendum. Demands such as recognition of the “stolen mandate” of February 8, 2024 elections, rejection of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, restoration of an independent judiciary and free media electrified public sentiment. National newspapers such as Dawn, The News and The Nation described it as “the largest rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s history.”
In his address as host, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur accused the federal government of looting provincial resources (water and minerals), opposed military operations and proposed dialogue with Afghanistan. These statements, made amid recent TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) activities such as attacks in Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu, further highlighted his political foresight. He not only defended provincial autonomy but also pointed towards peace, making it clear that “the provincial government will not support new operations nor allow displacement of people”.
At one point, some workers expressed displeasure at the presence of Mardan’s MNA Ali Muhammad Khan on stage, throwing empty bottles in protest. However, Gandapur’s fiery speech quickly neutralized the tension, turning the atmosphere pleasant again, proving his crisis management skills. Central and provincial leaders of the party addressed the rally openly. Resolutions passed at the gathering condemned enforced disappearances in Balochistan and demanded that provincial resources be used locally, symbols of national unity. On X, users described the rally as “Pakistan’s Decision”.
On the global stage, the Peshawar rally transformed Pakistan’s political struggle into a global narrative. A post by PTI USA termed it part of a “Global Pakistan” movement. Pakistani communities abroad hailed it as a reflection of national unity. Set against the backdrop of Afghanistan’s border and terrorism threats, the event also highlighted Gandapur’s diplomatic foresight. His proposal for dialogue with Afghanistan projected Pakistan internationally as a peace-seeking nation, offering an alternative to escalating TTP activities (2024–2025). European and American observers described it as “the voice of democracy’s restoration,” drawing global attention to Pakistan’s political stability.
Ali Amin Gandapur’s leadership was the soul of the rally. Once a squash player, Gandapur entered politics in 2013 and has since won multiple elections, most notably in 2024, when he defeated the national leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman with 93,443 votes. As Chief Minister, his governance skills are evident in initiatives like the revival of the Sehat Insaf Card (₨6 billion reimbursements), the Ehsaas Rozgar Program (loans up to ₨10 million) and the Billion Tree Plus Project (aimed at increasing forest cover by 12%). His speech at the rally, spanning from opposition to military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to appealing to the Army Chief on Imran Khan’s case, reflected him as a balanced leader. Despite controversies such as the May 9, 2023 cases and the audio leak scandal, his backdoor communication strategy with opponents helped ensure political stability. Gandapur’s true strength lies in understanding public sentiment, whether resolving tribal traditions or national issues, or turning disputes towards peaceful dialogue. These very abilities, central to the rally’s success, serve as guarantees of saving Pakistan from chaos.
A detailed review of the rally shows it was not just a political demonstration but the foundation of a political revolution. At the national level, it symbolized provincial resistance against federal pressure; at the global level, it placed Pakistan’s democracy on the international agenda. Ali Amin Gandapur’s agility in leadership, his achievements, electoral victories, developmental projects and sustainable crisis resolutions turned the rally into a unified and positive movement.
The grand Peshawar rally proved that PTI’s peaceful political movement still runs through the veins of Pakistanis. It is the only political party with grassroots in every province and corner of Pakistan, emerging as the standard-bearer of national unity. Unlike other parties, it has no militant wing and does not believe in politics of conflict or chaos, while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the foresighted leadership of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur continues to steer this political journey in the right direction. Pakistan Zindabad.
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