Imran Khan’s party to stage protests on anniversary of his arrest

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, announced on Sunday that it will stage nationwide protests on August 5 to demand Khan’s release from prison and relief for the masses affected by inflation.

The planned protests coincide with the first anniversary of Khan’s arrest on August 5, 2023, after a court sentenced him to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts. PTI leader Asad Qaiser announced during a press conference in Islamabad, joined by Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan and other party officials.

“August 5 marks the day of PTI founder’s arrest, we will stage protests on that day,” Qaiser said while referring to the deposed prime minister’s arrest in the Toshakhana case.

Qaiser also criticized the government’s “indiscriminate crackdown” on PTI lawmakers and social media activists, calling it a “vicious witch-hunt.”

He urged the Supreme Court to take notice of the matter, citing the court’s recent verdict allowing PTI to receive seats in the assemblies. “This crackdown is being done after the Supreme Court’s verdict [on the reserved seats],” Qaiser said.

The Supreme Court, in its short order on July 12, allowed the PTI to receive seats in the assemblies reserved for women and minorities. The apex court directed the PTI to submit a list of its eligible candidates for reserved seats to the electoral body within 15 days of the verdict.

Qaiser, a former speaker of the lower house of the parliament, accused the government of filing “baseless cases” against its leaders and forcing 41 lawmakers to quit the party.

The parliament would lose its superior status if parliamentarians were being insulted in such a way,” he added. “We also invite all political parties to sit with us against the imposition of a ‘fake and mandate-less government.”

The opposition party is planning a key session to decide on its future strategy, which may include a sit-in on D-Chowk, Islamabad. PTI has called for fresh elections, saying it is the only remedy to the country’s issues.

The announcement comes as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have filed a review petition against the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring PTI eligible for reserved seats.