Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that the second phase of its protest campaign will take place on August 14, which marks Pakistan’s Independence Day. The announcement was made by senior PTI leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser during a rally in Swabi.
The protest is part of the party’s ongoing movement to demand the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, who remains imprisoned in Adiala Jail. The rally was also held to mark two years since Khan’s incarceration.
Qaiser said that after the August 14 protest, the next phase will shift to Sindh. “We will continue our peaceful protest for justice and rule of law,” he said. The PTI August 14 protest is expected to be a major political event, as it aligns with a significant national holiday.
Ahead of the recent protests, authorities in Lahore carried out overnight raids. According to PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari, over 200 party workers were detained. Among those arrested were seven members of the Punjab Assembly, who were later released, as confirmed by the Punjab Police.
In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, where Imran Khan is jailed, the government imposed Section 144 to restrict large gatherings. This legal measure is often used to prevent potential unrest.
Asad Qaiser also mentioned that Imran Khan had instructed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to avoid any military operations in the province. “We won’t permit military action in our region,” Qaiser said, adding that the party would consider taking the matter to international courts if needed.
During a separate protest in Peshawar, CM Gandapur reiterated the party’s call for daily demonstrations. However, the rally ended abruptly after he left without addressing supporters, leading to unrest among attendees.
PTI maintains that its demands are centered on upholding the Constitution and securing the release of its founder. For more on the ISPR’s response and the dismissal of the field marshal presidency rumors, check the full story.
