More than 100 supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan have been arrested as rallies were held across Pakistan on Wednesday to mark the completion of three years of his imprisonment.
On Wednesday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Muhammad Suhail Afridi announced that PTI supporters will march towards Islamabad on September 27 if ‘justice’ is not provided to Khan.
Over 100 supporters of jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan were arrested on Wednesday as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters held rallies nationwide to mark three years of his imprisonment. PTI Punjab general secretary Chaudhry Bilal Ejaz said five party lawmakers were among 25 others arrested in Lahore. At least 50 workers were arrested in Mianwali, Rawalpindi and other parts of Punjab, according to PTI. In Karachi, police used tear gas to disperse PTI supporters protesting in Saddar Town and arrested more than 10 demonstrators. The party also claimed six workers were arrested in Pano Aqil and 15 in Kandhkot. Otherwise, he said, people from across Pakistan will march to Islamabad on September 27.
Thousands of supporters gathered amid heavy security, according to Al Jazeera. Addressing supporters in Peshawar, Afridi said the party’s first demand was for cases against Khan and his wife to be heard and decided on merit. Its second demand, he said, was restoration of meetings with their legal team, doctors, relatives and party leaders. He claimed that if justice is delivered, Khan can be released “within 30 minutes”.
The demonstrations, which called for Khan’s release, saw police fire tear gas at protesters in Rawalpindi amid clashes and heightened security. The main rally was held in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where PTI is in power. The party demanded Khan’s release and restoration of his rights.