The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) launched a hunger strike outside the Parliament House in Islamabad on Tuesday, calling for the immediate release of party leader Imran Khan and other incarcerated party members.
PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced that the strike would continue daily until 8 pm to protest “injustice” against its leadership and members. The demonstration comes amidst a series of challenges facing the party, including recent arrests and the sealing of its central secretariat.
On Wednesday, authorities sealed the PTI’s central secretariat, citing “lack of fire and life safety arrangements.” This action followed the arrest of PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hasan and other party workers the previous day. Hasan was reportedly detained for allegedly heading a digital media cell involved in anti-Indian propaganda.
PTI symbolic protest
“[The] PTI founder and his wife have been imprisoned for no reason. This camp will continue till their release,” Gohar Ali Khan said. He also expressed his dissatisfaction to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq over what he termed “illegal and unconstitutional actions.”
Former National Assembly speaker and PTI leader Asad Qaiser outlined the party’s demands, emphasizing the release of Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and other detained party members. Qaiser also called for the resignation of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, accusing it of mismanaging the economy and fostering lawlessness.
PTI Secretary-General Omar Ayub Khan demanded the resignation of what he referred to as the “Form 47 government,” alluding to alleged manipulation in the February 8 elections. He called for fresh, free, and fair elections to be held.
The party plans to escalate its protests, with PTI leader Shibli Faraz announcing a nationwide demonstration scheduled for July 26 as part of the party’s ongoing campaign.