Despite a ban on public gatherings in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is conducting protest demonstrations across the country to demand the release of its founder, Imran Khan, who completed two years in prison on August 5. The opposition party shared these updates on its official X handle. PTI sources have claimed that police in Lahore detained at least 300 of its activists in overnight raids. Party leaders have accused the police of conducting raids to arrest PTI leaders and workers.
In a message posted on the party’s X account, the former Prime Minister urged his supporters to “come out and hold peaceful protests until a true democracy is restored in the country.” The former cricket star was elected prime minister in 2018 but was removed from office in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in parliament. His arrest in May 2023 triggered protests against the military nationwide, leading to a significant crackdown on the party. Khan, who denies any wrongdoing, claims the dozens of cases against him—ranging from terrorism to revealing state secrets—are politically motivated. He was convicted in January in a corruption case, while being acquitted of other charges or receiving suspended sentences. Ahead of the protest call, hundreds of his party members, including several parliamentarians, were convicted late last month on charges related to the May 9 protests that followed his arrest.
The protests are being organized under the banner of Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) and are being overseen by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja. Expanding on the party’s plans for the day, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated that he would be leading a rally in Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Rallies are being held today on the orders of the PTI founder,” Gohar said, adding that the party would not rest until the former Prime Minister is released. Provincial Assembly members have been directed to protest in their respective constituencies, and PTI leaders from all four provinces and Azad Kashmir have informed the central leadership of their plans. All ticket holders have also been placed on alert. According to the announced schedule, peaceful protests will be held across four provinces and Azad Kashmir, with elected representatives leading activities in their constituencies.
A senior PTI leader told The News that there is a “lack of coordination, mainly due to denial of our leadership’s meetings with the party founder and the restrictions being imposed, like imposition of Section 144 in the twin cities and elsewhere, and a crackdown on party people in Punjab.” The party’s schedule indicates that all MNAs and senators would gather outside Adiala Jail under the leadership of Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan. PTI leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser said the movement would remain peaceful, emphasizing that the party is not seeking any confrontation.
Meanwhile, security has been significantly increased around Adiala Jail following a request for additional police deployment in anticipation of the planned PTI protest. In response to the former ruling party’s protests, authorities have imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which bans illegal gatherings and large assemblies. Section 144 has been imposed in both Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the latter of which houses Adiala Jail where the PTI founder is incarcerated. A formal notification issued on August 4 stated that intelligence received by the District Intelligence Committee (DIC) indicated an immediate threat to public safety, especially near sensitive installations, major roads, and critical infrastructure. The restrictions are effective immediately and will remain in force from August 5 to 10 across the Rawalpindi district. The federal capital administration also denied the local PTI chapter permission to hold a protest at F-9 Park on August 5, a request that local leader Aamir Mughal had submitted on July 31.
