Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has announced a series of demonstrations in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Tuesday, protesting what it calls “restrictions” on visiting the incarcerated party founder.
PTI leaders plan to hold protests outside Adiala jail, where Imran Khan is currently lodged, and the Islamabad High Court (IHC). According to a Dawn report, the party decided on the protest action after authorities in both cities-imposed bans on public gatherings.
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Ban on public gatherings in Islamabad, Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi’s district administration issued directives on Monday placing a three-day ban on public assemblies. The federal capital had earlier enforced a similar ban beginning November 18, valid for two months.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser told Dawn that the demonstrations would begin outside the Islamabad High Court before moving towards Adiala jail.
“It has been decided to hold protests because IHC has failed to implement its order and the Adiala jail administration is not willing to implement the court orders,” Qaiser said. He added that while he would be attending a separate public gathering in Quetta, Advocate Gohar Ali Khan and other PTI leaders would lead demonstrations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Qaiser further claimed that the parliamentary committee has demanded Imran Khan’s release and has alleged “human rights violations” over restrictions imposed on the former prime minister’s family members, who have reportedly not been allowed to meet him “for several weeks,” according to Dawn.
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KP Chief Minister stages sit-in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also staged a sit-in outside Adiala jail last week, after reportedly being stopped from meeting Imran Khan for the eighth time.
Amid ongoing speculation over Khan’s health, both the government and PTI leaders have stated that the PTI chairman is in stable condition, Dawn reported.
