Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) began nationwide protests on Monday, calling for the release of its incarcerated party founder. Party leaders and lawmakers gathered in Islamabad and other major cities to lead rallies and demonstrations.
The PTI protest plan includes a solidarity march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. According to PTI leader Umair Niazi, lawmakers from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were directed to join the federal capital’s protest.
He explained that the party initially planned regional activities but later opted for a unified demonstration in Islamabad.
In Peshawar, a rally led by Ali Amin Gandapur started from Ring Road and will conclude at Bala Hisar Fort. In Lahore, police detained six PTI MPAs, including Punjab Assembly Deputy Opposition Leader Moin Riaz Qureshi, as part of preventive measures ahead of the protests.
In Islamabad, PTI leader Rehana Dar was taken into custody outside Aiwan-e-Adl. Meanwhile, party leaders Mehmood Achakzai, Junaid Akbar, and Salman Akram Raja arrived at Parliament House to highlight the issue in the National Assembly.
PTI lawmakers also participated in the session, where MNA Aamir Dogar condemned the arrests, calling the proceedings “a puppet show.”
Authorities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have enforced Section 144, banning all public gatherings, rallies, and sit-ins. Heavy police contingents have been deployed in both cities.
Officials have warned that any attempts to disrupt public order will face strict action, and Red Zone access may be restricted if tensions rise.
Veteran politician Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, speaking in Multan, described the PTI protest as a democratic right under the Constitution. He said the movement aims to defend democracy, human liberty, and parliamentary supremacy.
The PTI leadership has stated that if their lawmakers are stopped, they will stage sit-ins at those locations, continuing their demand for the party founder’s release.
For all latest updates, read our trending news Rawalpindi Enforces Section 144 Ahead of PTI Protests on August 5
