Islamabad/Lahore, several leaders of former prime minister Imran Khan’s party, imprisoned on February 8 (PTI) Mark last year’s general election consolidation as “Black Day” on February 8 He was arrested on Saturday for holding a rally.
Pakistan’s Tehrik e Insuf (PTI) held a major rally in Swabi, the capital of Kyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where the party is in power. He also urged workers and supporters to protest across the country.
Previously, the party had planned a rally in Lahore but was denied permission from Punjab authorities. The Punjab government had imposed restrictions on assembly under section 144. But nonetheless, the Pakistan Muslim Federation (PML-N) held a rally in Lahore to commemorate the government’s completion of a year.
Speaking to Swabi Rally, PTI Chairman Gohar Khan said that Pakistan’s politics would be incomplete without Imran Khan and dismissed the “manufactured incident” submitted to the former Prime Minister by “duty”. This prompted the establishment of the company.
In his message to the Army Secretary, Prime Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur said that there is terrorism in the state and unity is essential to win the war against terrorism.
Gandapur said “Black Day” is marked to protest “historical theft of people’s missions” and is observed annually.
Gandapur dealt with alleged government involvement at the events on November 26th and May 9th, 2023 last year, and the ruling party fears to establish a Judicial Committee to investigate these issues. He insisted that there was.
The Prime Minister said that when the PTI seeks a revolution, their enemies will not be able to pay it and will accuse the Shebaz Sharif-led federal government of instigating its people.
Vote turnout was lower at the rally, according to local independent circles. A convoy of PTI workers traveled from Nowshera, Kohat and Jamrud to participate in the rally.
Previously, the party had planned a rally in Lahore’s historic Minar e Pakistan. However, the plan was shelved due to a denial of permission from Punjab authorities.
The Punjab government, led by Mariam Nawaz, banned all political rallies, rallies, sit-ins, rallies, demonstrations, protests and other activities on February 8th, imposing Section 144 on the entire state.
Heavy police forces were deployed in and around the venue to stop PTI workers from arriving at the venue. Police arrested people who protested in the group.
Mehr Bano Qureshi, daughter of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the imprisoned vice-chairman of PTI, was among dozens of party members arrested in Martin city, Punjab on Saturday.
She, along with other PTI workers, held demonstrations against the “Doll Government” that was set up through stolen missions.
Others arrested included Zahidbaharhashmi and Daryl Mehh of Purchatta for violating Section 144.
However, PML-N frauted Section 144 in Lahore and held a rally to celebrate the government’s success of the year.
Police officers were deployed to PML-N public gatherings to provide security to participants. Federal Information Minister Ataura Tara worked on the rally.
Punjab Assembly opposition leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bachar said “human rights violations have witnessed the next level of Pakistan,” adding that the “Tiktalakar government” should refrain from issuing unconstitutional orders.
Meanwhile, in Muzaffarabad, several PTI workers were detained for attempted protests in Azadi Chowk. However, some of them managed to escape when security forces cracked down on the protesters.
PTI leader Khawaja Farooq fled police custody when he was placed in a worker’s vehicle instead of a police vehicle.
The driver felt the situation and drove before the police could respond. The officer chased the car on foot, but was unable to arrest him.
However, Farooq, who is also the opposition leader of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s legislative assembly, was later arrested, officials said. Officials said 16 other people were also arrested.
Separately, Section 144 was imposed for 15 days throughout Balochistan.
Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said the home department has issued an official notice.
“The display and use of weapons are completely prohibited, and there are bans on sit-ins, queues and gatherings of more than five people,” he said.
In Islamabad, Union Minister of National Defense Kawaja Asif accused the PTI of using government machinery and employees to fill the rally at Khyber Paktankwa on February 8.
In a post on X, Asif said that despite having power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the PTI continued to insist on rigging the election. He further argued that state public funds would be misused to organize events.
“If you want to hold a political gathering, come to Punjab, Sindh or Balochistan. Where you claim that injustice has been committed,” he said.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari also reflected his sentiment and further criticised the state government’s performance at Khyber Paktankwa at a press conference in Lahore.
She accused the PTI of trying to drag the entire country miserably, saying, “I want to cry to the entire country while the PTI itself is crying.”
