Asad Qaiser, a senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former National Assembly speaker, has announced that the party’s protest movement will enter its second phase on August 14, Pakistan’s Independence Day. Speaking in Swabi late on Tuesday night during a protest to mark the second anniversary of party founder Imran Khan’s imprisonment, Qaiser stated, “The second phase of our protest will be on August 14, and then we will head to Sindh.”
The announcement follows a series of arrests a day earlier, where police detained more than 240 opposition party activists. According to Deputy Inspector General of Police Faisal Kamran, at least 122 of these individuals were arrested in Lahore for attempting to block roads and disrupting law and order. Two security officials confirmed that the remaining arrests were made during overnight raids across the province. PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari claimed that over 200 activists were detained in Lahore alone. Additionally, AFP reported that at least seven members of the Punjab Assembly were also arrested in Lahore, though they were later released by the police in the evening. The Punjab police’s statement confirmed the release of Deputy Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Moeen Riaz Qureshi and several other MPs. The PTI central media cell also verified that Rehana Dar, who was arrested from outside Aiwan-e-Adal, was released.
The arrests occurred as authorities had increased security by imposing Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which prohibits unlawful gatherings and large assemblies. Section 144 was also enforced in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the location of Adiala Jail where the PTI founder is held.
Qaiser also addressed the situation in the PTI-governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, stating that Khan had given a clear directive to Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur against any military operation in the province. “We will not allow military operations in our province,” Qaiser said, adding that they would seek recourse in international courts. He also claimed that Khan had been given multiple offers in jail, including the option to go to Bani Gala, Nathia Gali, or even leave the country.
Meanwhile, during a rally in Peshawar, CM Gandapur said that the public had responded to Khan’s call and that “this protest will now be held on a daily basis.” He added that the party leadership would announce the plan for August 13 and 14 later, and reiterated the party’s demand for the supremacy of the Constitution and law, and the release of the PTI founder. However, Gandapur’s rally ended abruptly after he left without addressing the party workers, leading to protests from his own supporters.
In addition to the protests in Pakistan, a demonstration was also held in Dallas, USA. Former Deputy National Assembly speaker Qasim Khan Suri, who was the chief guest, addressed a large number of overseas Pakistanis, asserting that the PTI founder was being punished for challenging the status quo. Suri also repeated the party’s claim that the public’s mandate was stolen in the February 2024 elections and that the party was being targeted through political victimization.
