Asad Qaiser: “Military operations in our province will not be tolerated”
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is gearing up for a fresh wave of protests, with senior leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser revealing that the second phase of the party’s movement will take place on August 14, coinciding with Pakistan’s Independence Day.
Speaking at a rally in Swabi on Tuesday night, Qaiser said, “We will take our protests to Sindh after August 14,” as party workers marked the second anniversary of PTI founder Imran Khan’s imprisonment and reiterated calls for his release.
The renewed protest wave comes amid a crackdown on PTI supporters. Over 240 party activists were arrested earlier this week, including more than 120 detained in Lahore while attempting to block roads, according to DIG Faisal Kamran. Overnight raids across Punjab also led to numerous arrests, including at least seven members of the Punjab Assembly.
PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari claimed that more than 200 supporters were picked up in Lahore alone. However, many of the detained lawmakers, including Deputy Opposition Leader Moeen Riaz Qureshi and MPAs Farrukh Javed Moon, Khawaja Salahuddin, Shoaib Amir, Amanullah Khan, and Iqbal Khattak, were released later in the day, according to Punjab police.
Rehana Dar, detained outside Aiwan-e-Adal, was also freed, as confirmed by the PTI media cell.
Authorities had enforced Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and other areas to prevent mass gatherings. Rawalpindi, notably, is home to Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan remains imprisoned.
Addressing the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Qaiser stressed that Imran Khan had instructed Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to prevent any military operations in the province. “We will resist such actions and will even go to international courts if needed,” he declared.
Qaiser further revealed that Khan had received several offers in jail, including being relocated to Bani Gala, Nathia Gali, or even abroad.
Meanwhile, CM Gandapur, addressing a rally in Peshawar, said, “The people have responded to Imran Khan’s call. This protest will now be a daily occurrence.” He added that a detailed plan for August 13 and 14 would be announced soon. However, his sudden departure from the rally without addressing the gathered supporters led to discontent among the party workers, who began protesting their own leadership.
PTI continues to demand the release of its founder and calls for the restoration of constitutional supremacy and rule of law across the country.
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