ISLAMABAD: After being denied permission to hold a workers’ convention on August 5, the Islamabad chapter of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has announced the launch of a peaceful, unarmed political guerrilla struggle starting Sunday, August 5, 2025.
According to PTI Islamabad region president Aamir Masood Mughal, this new strategy involves brief, surprise road blockades on main routes in the city to disseminate the message of Imran Khan, while avoiding confrontation with law enforcement.
🔹 Main Highlights of the Development:
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PTI was denied permission by Islamabad’s district administration to hold a peaceful workers’ convention at F-9 Park on August 5.
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PTI responded by launching a “non-violent political guerrilla struggle” starting Sunday (August 3, 2025).
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Protesters will block major roads briefly and disperse before police arrival to avoid arrests or violence.
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Purpose: To peacefully protest, protect workers, and spread Imran Khan’s message across the city and beyond.
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PTI says the movement will expand across the country and continue until Imran Khan’s release.
PTI’s Statement and Strategy
Addressing the media, Aamir Mughal emphasized that the party’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly has been denied by the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad. Despite submitting a formal application days earlier, the permission was not granted.
“We respect the law, but it is clear this administration is politically biased. Denying a peaceful jalsa is a violation of democratic norms,” said Mr. Mughal.
The new protest strategy includes:
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Coordinating with Insaf Razakars (PTI volunteers)
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Choosing random locations and timings to block major roads
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Dispersing quickly before any police crackdown
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Ensuring all actions remain peaceful and non-violent
PTI’s Application Rejected
PTI’s application for holding the August 5 jalsa was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Signed by Aamir Mughal and General Secretary Malik Amir Ali, the application read:
“We seek your kind permission to organise a peaceful workers’ convention at Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9), Islamabad on August 5, 2025, from 4 PM to 10 PM. This gathering is part of our political campaign to engage workers and share our vision.”
The letter also assured that all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to public safety and park regulations would be strictly followed, and that the event would remain orderly and law-abiding.
However, the administration did not respond with approval, prompting the party to adopt a new strategy of street-level protest.
A Political Review: Was the Ban Justified?
The Deputy Commissioner’s refusal to grant permission for the event has triggered criticism from PTI members and political analysts. According to Aamir Mughal:
“ڈپٹی کمشنر اسلام آباد نے جلسہ کی اجازت نہیں دی، جوکہ ہمارا آئینی و قانونی حق ہے۔“
This rejection has been perceived not only as a violation of democratic rights, but also as an attempt to suppress political dissent. PTI leaders argue that if the gathering was peaceful, why was there hesitation in allowing it?
Peaceful Resistance, Not Violence
Clarifying the nature of the movement, Mr. Mughal said:
“ہم انصاف رضاکاروں کےساتھ ملکر پرامن، غیرمسلح، سیاسی گوریلا جدوجہد شروع کررہے ہیں۔“
He further explained that a small group of youth activists will block central roads, share Imran Khan’s message with the public, and disperse peacefully before law enforcement can react.
“Our goal is to register our protest, protect our youth from arrest and torture, and resist this regime’s suppressive tactics,” he added.
PTI believes that arrests and torture are the only tools this government relies on, and hence, non-violent guerrilla protest is their counter-strategy.
A Nationwide Movement in the Making
While the strategy begins in Islamabad, PTI aims to extend this model nationwide, rallying supporters in other cities and provinces.
“اسلام آباد کے بعد اس سلسلے کو ملک بھر میں پھیلایا جائے گا۔ اور عمران خان کی رہائ تک اسی طرز پر احتجاج جاری رہے گا، انشاءاللہ۔”
This marks the beginning of a new phase of civil resistance, where PTI plans to pressure the authorities through public engagement, without violent confrontation.