Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party organised protests, trolls in different parts of the country on Tuesday to demand the release of former Prime Minister, Imran Khan. Khan was arrested two years ago on charges of corruption. His party now claims that more than 500 of its workers and supporters have taken to the streets but were arrested by the police, mostly in the Punjab province.

Call for protest was given by Khan himself. Party members claim that the supporters of the jailed leader responded in large numbers by coming on the streets and joining the procession.

The 72-year-old national leader was arrested on August 5, 2023, from his residence in Lahore after being convicted by a court in a corruption case. From the time of his arrest, Khan has been incarcerated due to his involvement and conviction in other cases and is currently being held at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

What Spokesperson Said

“Today, August 5 marks the second anniversary of the incarceration of the former Prime Minister Imran Khan, with all basic human rights revoked, no or very limited access to his legal team or family, no access to his political leadership, other than a couple of people now and then,” said the senior party leader, Zulfi Bukhari, in her statement. Bukhari is the spokesperson of Khan for international relations as well as in the international media. According to her, the government imposed a ban on gatherings, blocked main highways, wrecked cars with party flags, and raided the residences of active party leaders and workers.

“500 PTI leaders and workers have been arrested so far in Punjab alone, mostly from Lahore, including several lawmakers… Democracy is non-existent, nor is the rule of law and human rights. However, this kind of traditional treatment of our very own Pakistanis is shameful, even for this hybrid Rajiv,” stated Bukhari.