KARACHI: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Friday staged rallies, walks and protest demonstrations across the province, demanding release of its imprisoned founding chairman Imran Khan and “justice” for dozens of workers who were behind bars in connection with the May 9 riot cases.

In Karachi, a large number of activists and supporters of the party took to the streets in almost all city districts and staged rallies, sit-ins and demonstrations in line with their party’s call of holding countrywide protests.

They also asked the judiciary to take notice of the “highhandedness” of the authorities for denying the party its constitutional right of peaceful protests whenever it announced to take to the streets.

While many protests were held in different parts of the city, two major events were held in district East and district South.

Haleem Adil claims party founder to be freed soon

In district East, a rally was taken out from Millennium Mall to Bahadurabad via Rashid Minhas Road and University Road.

Charged participants, including women and children, used different modes of transport to take part in the rally. They were carrying placards, PTI flags, portraits of Imran Khan and chanting slogans for his release.

Addressing the participants at Chaar Minar Chowrangi in Bahadurabad, PTI-Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh vowed that the struggle of the PTI workers was set to bear fruit and their “beloved leader” would soon be among them.

“Imran Khan’s days in prison are going to be over and he would be soon among you,” he said. “This fake government can no more stand against the people’s will.”

He said that the entire country was paying the price for what happened on February 8 in the name of elections. “Those who were celebrating their fake victories are now not able to face the public. Even the formation of the governments in the Centre and provinces has become joke for everyone.”

He said that on Feb 8, the people of Karachi voted for PTI and there was no other party on ground in the contest. But it’s an ironic that those who were rejected by the people of Karachi were imposed again only for the vested interests of certain quarters.

In district South, a large number of women activists of the PTI assembled outside the Karachi Press Club to hold a protest.

In Hyderabad, activists of PTI staged a protest demonstration outside the local press club for release of Imran Khan and against rigging in by elections.

The protesters raised slogans against the government and demanded withdrawal of cases against Imran Khan and his spouse.

They said that the government was working like “a slave of the US” and accused it of victimising PTI workers and leaders.

In Nawabshah, party workers gathered at Shiraz Chowk to stage a rally.

In Sanghar, PTI activists also held a protest demonstration against the prolonged incarceration of their founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.

The Umerkot chapter of the party also took out a rally and demanded that Mr Khan be released forthwith.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2024