Across Pakistan, PTI, the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, held protests on Tuesday, demanding Khan’s freedom. Police arrested over 500 protesters. Most arrests were in Lahore.
Imran Khan was convicted of corruption and has been in Adiala Jail for two years. The PTI reported strong support for the protests. Zulfi Bukhari stated that August 5 marked the second anniversary of Khan’s imprisonment, and he decried the deprivation of Khan’s fundamental rights, including access to his legal team and family. Bukhari also pointed out the government’s ban on gatherings, blockading of main roads, and destruction of party property, including raids on homes of party activists. More than 500 PTI members were arrested in Punjab, including parliamentarians. Bukhari criticized the lack of democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan, calling the treatment of citizens shameful. The protests were intended to remain peaceful.
Police enforced Section 144 in Punjab, which led to the arrests. Despite media restrictions, videos of the rallies spread on social media, documenting police actions, and drew widespread criticism. A PTI leader, Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, criticized the government’s actions, including raids on homes. She accused Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, of acting like a dictator, highlighting the pre-emptive nature of the raids.