By Aitzaz Ibrahim
LAHORE
As two years have passed since the arrest and imprisonment of Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister and founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), the irate party he has left behind showed its anger and frustration by organizing protest rallies and demonstrations across various cities of the country. Party leadership, members of parliament, lawyers, and workers participated in the protests, however police detained several leaders and workers from different locations, many of whom were later released. The former Prime Minister was arrested on August 5, 2023, from Lahore, following a three-year prison sentence in the Toshakhana case.
Rallies in Lahore, multiple arrests
In Lahore alone at least 300 workers of the party were arrested, claimed the PTI, many of whom are still in detention. Party workers held demonstrations at several locations. Instead of gathering at a single central point, the party leadership directed members of the assembly and local leaders to organize protests within their respective constituencies.
In Gulberg, Shaukat Basra led a rally, while Hafiz Zeeshan Rasheed led a rally on Canal Road, and Aliya Hamza in Jaati Umra. At the Aiwan-e-Adl, lawyers held a protest and briefly blocked the road, but their attempt to march towards the High Court was foiled by heavy police deployment in the area.
Following these, police detained Deputy Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Moeen Qureshi, senior leader Rehana Dar, and several other party members, though they were later released.
Protests in other cities
Protest rallies were also held in Kasur, Kamalia, Okara, Sahiwal, and other cities, where PTI workers carried party flags and placards. Law enforcement agencies maintained strict surveillance and implemented security measures throughout the demonstrations.
Call for protest outside Adiala Jail
PTI had also called for a protest outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where Imran Khan is currently imprisoned. However, police sealed all access routes to the jail under strict security protocols, preventing party leaders and workers from reaching the location.
Chairman of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aain–e-Pakistan Mehmood Khan Achakzai, PTI leaders Salman Akram Raja, Shandana Gulzar, Naseem Ali Shah, Sajid Khan, Dr. Humayun, and all three sisters of Imran Khan were stopped from reaching the jail.
Protest rallies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Protest rallies were also carried out in various cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur led a rally in Peshawar, Central Chairman Barrister Gohar in Buner, and Provincial President Junaid Akbar in Chakdara. At Anbar Interchange, Asad Qaiser, Atif Khan, and Shahram Tarakai also participated in a protest. In Upper and Lower Chitral, Deputy Speaker of the KP Assembly Suraiya Bibi led the demonstrations.
Election commission disqualifies 9 members
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified nine members of Parliament convicted in cases related to the May 9 incidents. Those disqualified include Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz, National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, Sunni Tehreek chief Hamid Raza, Rai Haider, Rai Hassan, Rai Murtaza, Zartaj Gul, Ansar Iqbal, and Junaid Afzal.
According to the notification issued on Tuesday, all these members have been de-seated, and their seats in the Senate and National Assembly have been declared vacant.