In a nationwide demonstration, supporters of Imran Khan’s PTI protested on Tuesday, demanding the release of their leader. Police arrested over 500 individuals in response to the protests. The majority of the arrests were made in Lahore. Khan was convicted in a corruption case two years prior and has been held in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since.
The PTI leadership stated that Khan’s supporters were participating in large numbers to support the demonstrations. Zulfi Bukhari, a senior party figure, highlighted that it was the second anniversary of Khan’s imprisonment. He added that Khan has been denied basic human rights, including proper access to his legal team and family. Bukhari also mentioned restrictions on his political leadership’s access. He cited that the current government had restricted gatherings and disrupted major highways, and vandalized party property and raided the homes of party activists. In Punjab alone, more than 500 PTI members have been arrested, including MPs.
Bukhari lamented the situation in Pakistan, stating the absence of democracy and the rule of law. He described the government’s actions as shameful. Protesters intend to keep the demonstrations peaceful. Police implemented Section 144 in Punjab to curb gatherings. Videos of the protests have gone viral on social media, showing police actions against party workers. The actions by the police sparked criticism.
Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, another PTI leader, alleged that the government had made even breathing a crime, accusing Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, of acting like a dictator. She shared a video, stating the police raided her home. Cheema pointed out that raids occur before protests even begin.