PTI Leaders Rally for Imran Khan Release in Islamabad
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party held a major public gathering on the outskirts of Islamabad. The event continued well past the deadline set by the local district administration, with a focus on demanding Imran Khan release.
The PTI rally began with leader Hammad Azhar addressing the crowd. He stated that the difficulties imposed by the current government were a sign of their fear of Imran Khan release and his supporters. Azhar hinted at the possibility of a new movement starting in Punjab against Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and urged party workers to “be ready” for this initiative related to Imran Khan release.
Azhar also paid tribute to PTI leaders currently in jail, such as Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Umar Sarfraz Cheema, and highlighted that many of PTI’s leaders in Punjab are in prison. This, he said, is part of the broader context surrounding Imran Khan release.
Key Demands and Strategies for Imran Khan Release at PTI Rally
Sher Afzal Marwat, another speaker at the rally, announced that additional rallies would soon be held in Punjab to continue the push for Imran Khan’s release and to advocate for the law and Constitution. Marwat declared that PTI plans to bring 50,000 people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into Punjab within a week, and emphasized their readiness to face challenges, including tear gas, in their pursuit of Imran Khan release.
In a separate development, police discovered a suspicious bag near the rally site in Sangjani. The bag contained a hand grenade, a detonator, electric wires, and other explosive materials. The bomb disposal squad was dispatched, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing, though unrelated to the call for Imran Khan release.
To manage the rally, containers were placed at key points in Islamabad. Major routes leading to the red zone were blocked, with only essential personnel allowed on Margalla Road. Key roads such as those from Chongi No 26, GT Road Taxila, Faizabad, Khanna Pull, and Rawat T Chowk were closed, which caused significant disruptions for residents traveling between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Despite providing alternate routes, police had to manage heavy traffic along these paths. Additionally, the metro bus service between Rawalpindi Saddar Station and Pak Secretariat was suspended due to the rally.
The PTI had postponed the gathering twice before—once in July and again in August—due to revoked permissions. The latest postponement led to strong criticism from PTI leaders and members, who were frustrated by the repeated delays in their campaign for Imran Khan release.
