PTI Faces Crackdown on Independence Day Celebrations

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) faced severe restrictions on holding Independence Day rallies. Over 100 PTI workers were detained across Punjab due to a virtual ban on political activities since the May 2023 attacks on military installations. Police released detainees amidst ongoing tensions.

Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was barred from organizing Independence Day rallies, resulting in over 100 party workers detained across Punjab, the party reported on Thursday.

Following the alleged attacks on military installations on May 9, 2023, the Pakistani government has nearly banned all political activities linked to Khan’s party.

On Wednesday, Punjab police apprehended PTI workers attempting to hold rallies in Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, and Faisalabad, detaining over 100 participants,” a PTI Punjab official confirmed on Thursday.

The detained PTI workers reportedly faced police brutality, including women. “Our only crime was celebrating Pakistan Independence Day,” a party representative stated.

Punjab Assembly’s Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar lambasted Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for deploying police against PTI supporters and legislators, emphasizing that Independence Day celebrators shouldn’t be treated like terrorists. He also called for the immediate release of Imran Khan, detained since last August on various charges.

A senior Punjab police officer mentioned that the detained PTI workers were released on Thursday, adhering to orders to prevent Independence Day rallies by Khan’s party.

PTI alleges that over 10,000 of its workers have been incarcerated, primarily in Punjab, since May last year.