Why is Pakistan: Tehreek-e-Insaf Protesting for Imran Khan's Release?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The PTI protests mark the second anniversary of Imran Khan's arrest.
- Over 300 PTI activists have been arrested in recent raids.
- Peaceful protests are being held across Pakistan under the TTAP banner.
- Authorities have imposed Section 144 to prevent large gatherings.
- Imran Khan's political future remains uncertain amid ongoing legal challenges.
Islamabad, Aug 5 (NationPress) On the occasion of the second anniversary of the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party initiated a nationwide protest movement on Tuesday, with party workers and activists flooding the streets to demand their leader's release.
Reports indicate that over 300 PTI activists were detained in Lahore during overnight operations.
In a message shared on PTI's X account, Imran Khan called upon his supporters to "gather peacefully and protest until true democracy is restored in the nation." The PTI founder rejected the accusations against him, including terrorism and official secrecy violations, labeling them as politically motivated.
The protests are organized under the banner of Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) and are overseen by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced his leadership of a rally in Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He emphasized that protests would continue until Imran Khan's release.
Provincial Assembly members are instructed to conduct protests in their constituencies, with PTI's central leadership coordinating with regional leaders from Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. All ticket holders are urged to stay vigilant.
According to PTI's outlined strategy, peaceful demonstrations will take place across all four provinces and PoJK, with elected officials engaging in activities within their constituencies. All Members of National Assembly (MNAs) and senators will gather outside Adiala Jail under the leadership of Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khan.
In response to the anticipated protests, authorities have heightened security measures around Adiala Jail and requested additional police presence. They have also enacted Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), prohibiting unlawful gatherings and large assemblies, affecting both Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Imran Khan became Prime Minister in 2018, but was removed through a no-confidence vote in 2022. Following his arrest in 2023, protests erupted nationwide, resulting in a crackdown on the PTI. He faced a corruption conviction in January but was acquitted of other charges or received suspended sentences. Ahead of the protest call, numerous PTI members, including several parliamentarians, were convicted in July related to the May 9 protests following his arrest.