Islamabad, 9 May 2023 (GNP): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers across the country have launched a countrywide protest against Party Chief Imran Khan’s arrest from the premises of Islamabad High Court on Tuesday.
PTI members and supporters are furious over Imran Khan’s arrest as they consider it an attack against both the judiciary and their party.
Senior Vice President of PTI, Fawad Chaudhry, took to Twitter and urged party workers to join the protest against Imran Khan’s arrest. He compared the arrest of Imran Khan to “arresting the judiciary” and stated that the Islamabad High Court had been attacked.
Dr. Yasmin Rashid, a former minister, also encouraged party workers to assemble at Liberty Market in Lahore to demonstrate against the arrest. PTI supporters have responded by taking to the streets, burning down tires and other stuff, and obstructing main roads in several cities.
Liberty Chowk
Protest now.— Dr. Yasmin Rashid (@Dr_YasminRashid) May 9, 2023
PTI supporters have assembled in Islamabad on the Srinagar Highway, blocked the road, and yelled anti-government and pro-Imran Khan chants. According to reports, the police detained over 20 PTI members for violating Section 144 while demonstrating on the Srinagar Highway.
The Kashmir Highway has also been blocked by the PTI workers, who reportedly pelted stones at police.
In Peshawar, the GT Road and Hashtnagri Chowk are both blocked by PTI workers who have arrived there. A high alert has been issued to the police, and SSP Operations presided over an emergency meeting.
There have been several demonstrations against Imran Khan’s arrest all around Pakistan, and PTI members are calling for his quick release. The PTI workers have pledged to keep protesting till Imran Khan is freed from detention.
Also Read: PTI Chairman Imran Khan Arrested in Islamabad
Concerns about Pakistan’s democracy and rule of law have been raised in the wake of the arrest, and many have criticized the government’s actions as an assault on opposition parties and their leaders.
PTI released Imran Khan’s Recorded video message:
Soon after Imran Khan was arrested, PTI aired a pre-recorded message from him.
He said at the opening of the video posted on Twitter: “When you [the nation] view this video, I may have been arrested”.
PTI released Imran Khan’s recorded video. pic.twitter.com/VCdkwF4fsX
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) May 9, 2023
Since people have known me for 50 years, “I never violated Pakistan’s constitution or law”, he said, adding that I have always conducted my political activities within the bounds of the Constitution.
He reacted angrily to the ruling coalition, saying they were pressuring him to “withdraw from his fight for real freedom” while detaining him for any violation of the law.
In his closing remarks, he urged the public to leave their houses for true freedom.
