Imran Khan’s supporters rally in Pakistan on two years of imprisonment

At slightest 200 arrested from Lahore, says enactment spokesperson, arsenic thousands march crossed the state connected 2nd day of ex-PM’s imprisonment.

Thousands of supporters of erstwhile Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan are rallying crossed the state to request his merchandise connected the 2nd day of his imprisonment.

Security officials connected Tuesday said dozens of activists belonging to Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) enactment person been arrested, with astir detentions made connected Monday nighttime and aboriginal connected Tuesday successful the eastbound metropolis of Lahore, wherever the PTI has called a immense objection aboriginal successful the day.

At slightest 200 activists had been arrested from Lahore, said PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari, adding that the protests would inactive instrumentality place. Lahore is the superior of Punjab, the country’s astir politically important portion and location to fractional of its population.

Khan, a fashionable cricket star, was elected premier curate successful 2018. But erstwhile successful office, helium fell retired with Pakistan’s almighty subject and was toppled successful 2022 done a ballot successful parliament. His apprehension successful May 2023 connected respective charges spurred wide protests against the military, starring to a crackdown connected the party.

In a connection attributed to Khan connected his party’s X relationship connected Monday, helium urged supporters to “come retired and clasp peaceful protests until a existent ideology is restored successful the country”.

Khan’s enactment posted a video connected its X relationship connected Tuesday, showing a erstwhile PTI candidate, Rehana Dar, being carried into a constabulary van by unit with riot gear.

“An elder similar Rehana Dar is being dragged by the shameless Punjab Police, a disgraceful sight,” the PTI said.

An elder similar Rehana Dar is being dragged by the shameless Punjab Police, a disgraceful sight. Maryam Nawaz and IG Punjab person sunk to a caller debased with this act. Under this martial instrumentality of Asim Munir, they person abandoned each consciousness of shame and decency! pic.twitter.com/gK0HsJoDOE

— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 5, 2025

Social media videos besides showed astatine slightest 2 different radical being detained successful Lahore.

The PTI’s Multan section alleged that its Lahore rally was “attacked by police”, Pakistani paper Dawn reported connected Tuesday.

“Rallies are being held contiguous connected the orders of the PTI founder,” PTI president Gohar Ali Khan said successful a statement, adding they would proceed until Khan’s release.

The rallies were held contempt the government’s bid barring “illegal” gatherings and ample assemblies, Pakistan’s Geo TV reported.

پشاور سے سیکڑوں گاڑیوں پر مشتمل قافلہ صوابی کی جانب روانہ ہو گیا ہے pic.twitter.com/3Yr5LiHHWB

— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 5, 2025

Translation: A convoy of hundreds of vehicles from Peshawar has acceptable disconnected towards Swabi.

In a connection connected Monday, constabulary said information was beefed up successful large cities nationwide.

At a quality league connected Monday, Khan’s enactment was accused of ever creating “chaos” by Uzma Bukhari, a spokesperson of the provincial government.

“No governmental enactment tin beryllium barred from authorities successful Pakistan, but a violent organisation disguised arsenic a governmental enactment is not allowed to disrupt Pakistan’s peace,” Bukhari said.

PTI person and erstwhile National Assembly talker Asad Qaiser said the enactment has pledged to show peacefully and was not seeking confrontation, Geo TV reported.

Khan says the charges against him – ranging from coercion to disclosure of authoritative secrets – are politically motivated. He was convicted successful January successful a corruption case, portion being acquitted of different charges oregon receiving suspended sentences.

Before the protestation call, hundreds of Khan’s enactment members, including respective parliamentarians, were convicted precocious past period connected charges related to the 2023 protests against his arrest.

Khan’s enactment emerged arsenic the azygous biggest successful the 2024 election, and it says rigging robbed it of much seats. Other parties merged to signifier a authorities nether Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has denied coming to powerfulness done electoral fraud.

Source:

Al Jazeera and quality agencies