Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has announced that the party’s second phase of protests will be held on August 14, coinciding with Pakistan’s Independence Day. Speaking in Swabi, Qaiser revealed that after nationwide demonstrations, the movement will extend to Sindh. The protests mark the second anniversary of PTI founder Imran Khan’s imprisonment, with supporters demanding his immediate release.
Authorities have responded with a heavy-handed crackdown, arresting over 240 PTI workers across Punjab. Deputy Inspector General Faisal Kamran confirmed that at least 122 activists were detained in Lahore for attempting to block roads and disrupt law and order. Overnight raids led to further arrests, with PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari claiming over 200 detentions in Lahore alone. Several Punjab Assembly members were also arrested but later released, including Deputy Opposition Leader Moeen Riaz Qureshi and other MPs.
To prevent large gatherings, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) has been enforced in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and other key areas. The measure bans illegal assemblies, particularly near Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is incarcerated. Despite the restrictions, PTI leaders remain defiant, with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur declaring that daily protests will continue in response to public support for Khan’s call to action.
Asad Qaiser also addressed the political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stating that Imran Khan has explicitly opposed any military operations in the province. Qaiser warned that PTI would challenge such actions in international courts if necessary. He further revealed that Khan had rejected multiple offers for relocation, including moving to Bani Gala, Nathia Gali, or even leaving the country, insisting on staying in Pakistan to fight for his cause.