PTI vows to continue protests until Imran Khan’s release

LAHORE:

Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged widespread demonstrations across the country on Tuesday, marking the second anniversary of party founder Imran Khan’s imprisonment.

The rallies, described by PTI as part of a national movement to restore democracy, drew sizeable turnouts despite sweeping security measures, mass arrests, and a heavy police crackdown, particularly in Punjab.

The protests were held in response to a call by Khan himself, who, through party channels, urged peaceful resistance to what he described as the erosion of democratic norms.

“The movement that begins on August 5 will continue until democracy is restored in its true spirit,” read a message attributed to the former prime minister. PTI leaders echoed that sentiment, framing Khan’s incarceration as politically motivated.

PTI leadership barred from meeting Imran Khan

Several senior PTI leaders and family members of party founder Imran Khan were also stopped by police during protests outside Adiala Jail. Ali Muhammad Khan and other parliamentarians were turned away at the Cabinet Gate, while Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Salman Akram Raja, Latif Khosa and Shandana Gulzar Khan were reportedly held up for over half an hour at a checkpoint near a private housing society, barring their approach to the jail.

Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan, speaking to reporters at Chakri Interchange, criticised the government over police presence and vowed to remain at the site until a meeting with Imran is allowed.

She alleged that Imran’s children were denied visas despite having applied. “PTI has the support of 80% of the people,” she claimed, adding that their rule of law campaign would continue.Marking Kashmir Exploitation Day, Aleema likened the situation in Pakistan to that in Illegaly Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).

Aleema Khan, addressing supporters outside Adiala Jail, called on the public to rise, “If the public wants freedom, they must rise on their own.” She vowed to remain outside the jail until she was granted permission to visit her brother, expressing frustration over repeated denials.

Another sister, Noreen Niazi, alleged police harassment of PTI supporters, including arrests of elderly citizens.

Six MPAs, dozens of others arrested

The most intense crackdown unfolded in Punjab, where police moved quickly to prevent large assemblies. In Lahore, where thousands had planned to rally, police launched overnight raids across the city, detaining scores of PTI workers. While police claimed around 30 arrests for unlawful assembly and road blockades, PTI officials insisted the actual number was significantly higher, estimating at least 300 detentions, including activists picked up during the night.

According to the party’s Punjab media head, Shayan Bashir, more than 200 separate raids were carried out ahead of the demonstrations. Many of those detained were reportedly released after signing bail undertakings.

Among those arrested were several sitting members of the Punjab Assembly. Deputy Opposition Leader Moin Qureshi was taken into custody during a protest, along with MPAs Farrukh Javed Moon, Col (retd) Shoaib Amir, Nadeem Sadiq Dogar, Khawaja Salahuddin, Aminullah Khan, and Iqbal Khattak.

PTI officials claimed that police used batons to attack lawmakers’ vehicles, broke windows, and assaulted members during the crackdown. Video footage of 80-year-old party leader Rehana Dar being forcibly detained drew condemnation from across party lines and went viral on social media.

PTI labelled the act “a disgraceful sight” and accused the Punjab government of employing “fascist tactics” to crush dissent.

Section 144 imposed

Authorities invoked Section 144 to prohibit public gatherings in key urban centres, including Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. Access to Adiala Jail, where Khan is being held, was restricted, with heavy security and road closures in place. PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja and political ally Mahmood Khan Achakzai attempted to lead a protest outside the jail but were reportedly blocked from reaching the area.

Despite the clampdown, demonstrations took place in multiple cities and districts across Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Okara, Kasur, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mianwali, Mandi Bahauddin, Layyah, Toba Tek Singh, Khanewal, and Narowal.

In Lahore, large crowds gathered along Canal Road, led by PTI leaders Chaudhry Asghar Gujjar, Malik Usman Hamza Awan, and Hafiz Zeeshan Rasheed. In Rawalpindi, PTI Youth Wing activists brought out a rally under the leadership of Raja Saqib Ali and Shuja Abbasi.

In Okara, a major rally was organised by District President Chaudhry Saleem Sadiq and General Secretary Chaudhry Abdul Rehman Tariq, while in Kasur, Sardar Dawood Aslam Dogar led demonstrations calling for Khan’s release. In other cities, PTI mobilised through local party offices, drawing crowds that included youth groups, lawyers, and labour unions.

In Toba Tek Singh, PTI’s Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza called on citizens and legal professionals to rally. Reports indicated that her vehicle was attacked by police while she attempted to join a protest. In Mandi Bahauddin, Begum Kausar Muhammad Khan Bhatti and Liaqat Ali Bhatti led a rally, while Layyah’s PTI Youth Wing held a protest at Chowk Azam. In Narowal, a Labour Wing motorcycle rally demanded Khan’s release.

The PTI’s legal wing was also mobilised. Lawyers staged protests outside the Lahore High Court and other judicial venues, declaring allegiance to Khan and pledging legal assistance for arrested activists. According to the Insaf Legal Forum’s Lahore President, Malik Shujaat Jandran, three teams were stationed at key courts across the city to provide bail support.

As the day unfolded, tensions between law enforcement and demonstrators continued to escalate. PTI officials accused police of harassing its media team and raiding the residence and office of Shayan Bashir.

Party Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan reiterated that the protests were being held on the direct instructions of Imran Khan and would continue until his release. “We will not rest until securing the former prime minister’s release,” he said.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also held a rally that began at 4 pm from Hayatabad Toll Plaza. A container has been readied for the event as party workers prepare to demonstrate in support of Khan and demand his release.

PTI strongly condemned the arrests

Later, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, in a strongly worded statement, condemned government for unleashing a reign of terror by deploying “Gullu Butts” against peaceful protesters, who turned out in massive numbers across the country to denounce the unlawful two-year detention of their beloved leader and PTI founder, Imran Khan, in fake, fabricated, and politically motivated cases.

He saluted the courage of Pakistanis who have risen nationwide in response to their wrongfully imprisoned leader’s call, defying the regime’s brutal crackdown and unprecedented state barbarity that has plumbed new depths of repression.

Sheikh Waqas vehemently denounced the brazen crackdown on political dissent and the mass arrests of PTI leaders and workers across the country, particularly in Punjab, which has virtually been transformed into a lawless zone where constitutional rights are routinely trampled.

“An elder like Rehana Dar is being dragged by the shameless Punjab Police—a disgraceful sight. Maryam Nawaz and IG Punjab have sunk to a new low with this act,” he added. He blasted the cabal of power-hungry usurpers who shamelessly weaponised and politicised every state institution, sacrificing the nation’s future just to prolong their illegitimate grip on power.

“This mafia has turned our sacred institutions into personal fiefdoms, dragging the country deeper into crisis solely to protect their stolen thrones,” he lamented.

Waqas stated that the fascist regime cannot deter, intimidate, or terrify an awakened nation through heavy-handed tactics and oppressive measures. He asserted that the people stand firmly with their leader in the struggle to transform Pakistan into a truly independent nation—not a state controlled by a handful of corrupt elites.Exposing Talal Chaudhry’s hypocrisy for claiming PTI could protest, “if only they sought permission,” Waqas fired back, “We formally applied to hold rallies at Minar-e-Pakistan and Islamabad’s F-9 Park—but this cowardly regime outright denied both requests.” He asked how dare Talal lecture us about permissions when his government trembles at the mere thought of PTI’s crowds.

He emphasised that the terrified, illegitimate regime continued to label PTI as an unpopular political force, yet it turned the entire country into a garrison state, imposing curfews and blockades to suppress the people’s democratic right to protest.

Read More: ECP disqualifies Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, seven other PTI lawmakers

Waqas challenged the illegitimate administration, “If you truly believe in your mandate, lift these draconian restrictions and allow PTI’s peaceful protest movement to proceed. Let the world see who truly commands the people’s support.”

Waqas mocked the PML-N for its failed attempt to hold a corner meeting in Lahore a few days ago, despite using all available state resources. He said only a few dozen people showed up—most of them PTI supporters who came merely to witness the empty chairs, where effigies of Nawaz, Shehbaz, and Maryam had been placed in the absence of actual workers.

Due to the embarrassing turnout, the scheduled meeting was cancelled without a single speech being delivered, Waqas said.

He urged the illegitimate government to recognise the gravity of the situation, demanding its immediate resignation and the unconditional, prompt release of all unlawfully detained political prisoners—including PTI’s Patron-in-Chief—before the situation spirals out of control, warning that otherwise, the unstoppable wave of public outrage surging across the country would sweep away the corrupt ruling elite like straws in a storm.

He made it clear that the fascist regime cannot suppress the nation’s collective conscience through coercion, intimidation, mass detentions, or brutal and inhumane tactics—no matter the cost. The people have shattered the idol of fear and will not rest until they break the chains of slavery and reclaim true independence from the handful of mafias who have held power for over 70 years. He vowed that the time had come—now or never—to rid the country of the Gullu Butts once and for all.

PTI denounces disqualification of lawmakers

Waqas also strongly condemned the unconstitutional and politically motivated move by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to de-notify nine of its elected lawmakers—including the Opposition Leaders in the Senate and National Assembly, Senator Shibli Faraz and Omar Ayub Khan—under the pretext of convictions in fabricated May 9 cases.

He said that this brazen action, dictated by the illegitimate regime, is a glaring example of how state institutions are being weaponised to dismantle democracy, suppress the opposition, and enforce controlled fascist rule.

Waqas stated that the government’s deliberate misuse of state machinery to engineer disqualifications and remove constitutionally elected representatives was not only a naked assault on democratic norms but also a sinister attempt to convert Pakistan into a totalitarian state.

He vowed that the nation must resist this, as PTI will continue its constitutional struggle for real democracy, rule of law, and the restoration of the people’s right to choose their leaders freely.

Senior PTI leader and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, addressed a protest demonstration in Swabi, where he stated that Imran Khan had been offered various incentives during his imprisonment, including relocation to Bani Gala, Nathia Gali, and even facilitation to leave the country. However, Imran Khan rejected all such offers, sending a clear message that the issue is not merely about his release, but about genuine freedom.

Qaiser stated that Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif did not come to power through a public mandate but rather through Form 47. He alleged that billions were earned through the sugar scandal and that now, once again, a new game of corruption is being played through sugar imports.

Qaiser mentioned that a formal request has been submitted to the Chief Justice for a transparent inquiry to inform the public of the true facts. He also claimed that Bilawal Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari have set new records in corruption, adding that both parties come to power solely to serve their personal interests.

Terming the ongoing load shedding in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as “retaliation against the people,” Qaiser said that the public of the province is being punished with unfair power outages.

Qaiser emphasized that Imran Khan has issued clear directives that no form of military operation will be accepted in K-P. He asserted that during their government’s tenure, there were neither bombings nor any compromise on law and order.

Qaiser lamented that today, they are being handed explosives while their pens are being snatched away. He reiterated that under no circumstances would they allow a military operation in their province. “This is a war for freedom, and we shall fight it under all circumstances,” he declared.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the judicial verdicts, Qaiser stated that the courts are not independent, and justice is being murdered. He warned that if justice is not served within the country, they would approach the International Court of Justice.

Qaiser further announced that the second phase of the protest movement would commence on August 14, with a focus on Sindh. He concluded by stating that they would unite the entire nation to rid it of the oppressive government.

‘Cruelty, fascism will only make us more loyal to Imran Khan’

On the other hand, PTI’s Deputy Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Moeen Uddin Riaz stated that the ongoing cruelty and fascism would only make them stronger and more loyal to PTI’s founder, Imran Khan.

He said the Punjab police not only severely damaged 24 vehicles of their MPAs but also humiliated, maltreated, and embarrassed them in police vans. “They had never witnessed such cruelty by police officials towards elected MPAs,” he added.

PTI MPA Riaz was among those arrested and then released after a short detention. As the arrested MPAs, including Iqbal Khatak, Farrukh Javed, Shoaib Mir, Sardar Nadeem Dogar, Ameer Ullah, Sardar Jattoi, and others, were released, they reached the Punjab Assembly.

He said PTI workers and supporters, responding to Imran Khan’s call, took to the streets despite the maltreatment and cruelty by the police, which demonstrates public support for PTI’s founding chairman, Imran Khan. However, MPA Riaz demanded the immediate release of PTI workers and supporters.