PTI leaders demand Imran Khan’s release in Islamabad protest.

PTI leaders demand Imran Khan’s release in Islamabad protest.

PTI leaders demand Imran Khan’s release in Islamabad protest.
Azhar hints at a movement against Maryam Nawaz in Punjab; Marwat says additional demonstrations will be planned for PTI founder’s release.

On August 5, 2024, members of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf PTI party held a demonstration to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Khan’s imprisonment in Swabi. The photo was taken by AFP.
On August 5, 2024, supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party gather in Swabi for a demonstration commemorating the one-year anniversary of Khan’s imprisonment. Photo: AFP.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) completed its much anticipated public meeting on the outskirts of Islamabad far after the district administration’s deadline of Sunday.

The rally began with PTI leader.

enforced by the existing leadership demonstrated their fear of Imran Khan and his followers.

Azhar also hinted at launching a fresh agitation in Punjab against Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, telling party members to “be ready.”

The former federal minister paid tribute to imprisoned PTI officials such as Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Umar Sarfraz Cheema, emphasising that much of the PTI’s Punjab leadership is currently incarcerated.

Sher Afzal Marwat expressed similar sentiments, declaring that rallies would soon be staged in Punjab to demand Imran Khan’s release and the supremacy of the law and Constitution.

“We will enter Punjab with 50,000 people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within a week,” Marwat stated, adding that they would confront any challenge, even tear gas, to achieve their objectives.

In a Separately, authorities discovered a suspicious bag near the venue in Sangjani. The bag held a hand grenade, a detonator, electric wires, and other explosive devices. The bomb disposal squad was summoned to the scene, and an inquiry was initiated.

Containers were deliberately positioned at critical sites in the federal capital to block traffic during the rally.

All highways leading to the red zone were closed, with only critical people allowed to use the Margalla road route. Key thoroughfares, including as Chongi No. 26, GT Road Taxila, Faizabad, Khanna Pull, and Rawat T Chowk, were closed.

The shutdown of main highways connecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi caused great annoyance to people, despite the availability of alternate routes. Police are stationed along these alternate.

Routes for managing traffic.

The metro bus service between Rawalpindi Saddar Station and Pak Secretariat was also suspended due to the rally in Sangjani, as directed by the district administration.

The PTI had already postponed the gathering twice, once in July and again in August, due to denied permissions. The latest postponement drew severe condemnation from party leaders and members, who were frustrated by the repeated delays.