Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to hold a full-scale protest in Islamabad and Rawalpindi today against the ban on meetings of party leaders and their families with its imprisoned founder, Imran Khan.
The party says that not giving access to Imran Khan is a violation of basic human rights. Opposition members of both houses will first protest outside the Islamabad High Court and then will go to Adiala Jail in the form of a rally.
PTI has announced the protest outside the Islamabad High Court and Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail at a time when a ban on all types of public gatherings is already in force in the twin cities. Section 144 has been imposed in the federal capital for two months since November 18, while the Rawalpindi administration has issued a notification of a three-day ban.
Under Section 144, the district administration can prohibit the assembly of five or more people, hold a rally or protest in an area. The notification issued by the District Magistrate of Islamabad said that some elements were planning illegal gatherings, hence this step was necessary to maintain law and order. The order will remain in force till January 18, 2026.
According to PTI leader Asad Qaiser, opposition members of both houses will first protest outside the Islamabad High Court and then go to Adiala Jail in the form of a rally. He alleged that the High Court has failed to implement its order, and the jail administration is not following the court order to allow a meeting with Imran Khan.
Last week, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also protested outside the jail after the meeting was not held. Imran Khan’s family members have also not been allowed to meet him for several weeks, raising concerns about his health, but both government and PTI sources said that Imran Khan is completely fine.
Asad Qaiser further said that he will attend a rally in Quetta on Tuesday, while the protests in the twin cities will be led by Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other leaders. The opposition parliamentary committee has also demanded Imran Khan’s immediate release.
On the other hand, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said in the Senate meeting that attacking Islamabad by putting party flags on official vehicles is unconstitutional. He said that the country and democracy have been affected by everyone’s mistakes, and the solution to problems lies in negotiations, not threats.
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